Residents play in floodwaters as Hurricane Helene approaches in the North Carolina mountains, in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, U.S. September 26, 2024. Jonathan Drake (REUTERS)Floodwaters wash over Guy Ford Road bridge on the Watauga River as Hurricane Helene approaches in the North Carolina mountains, in Sugar Grove, North Carolina, U.S. September 26, 2024. Jonathan Drake (REUTERS)A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station crew rescues a man and his dog during Hurricane Helene after his sailboat became disabled and started taking on water off Sanibel Island, Florida, U.S. September 26, 2024. US Coast Guard (via REUTERS)Donald Draughon and his wife Vicki wait for the arrival of Hurricane Helene at Lincoln High School, which was opened as a shelter in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S., September 26, 2024. Kathleen Flynn (REUTERS)Floridians wait for the arrival of Hurricane Helene at Lincoln High School which was opened as a shelter in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S., September 26, 2024. Kathleen Flynn (REUTERS)Residents of Leon County take shelter from Hurricane Helene at Leon High School near downtown Tallahassee, Florida, U.S., September 26, 2024. Octavio Jones (REUTERS)A drone view shows Alligator Dr as Hurricane Helene intensifies before its expected landfall on Florida’s Big Bend, in Alligator Point, Florida, U.S. September 26, 2024. Marco Bello (Reuters)Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency throughout Florida, as did the governors of Georgia and South Carolina in numerous counties in their respective states.Marco Bello (Reuters)Valerie Barrington gets caught in a wave crashing ashore from the Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Helene passes offshore on September 26, 2024 in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Joe Raedle (Getty Images)President Biden has told Americans to “take it seriously, extremely seriously.” So far, more than 1,000 flights have been canceled and 1,670 delays have been reported at Florida airports. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the United States, is maintaining normal operations at this hour.Joe Raedle (Getty Images) Workers place a flood protection barrier around the buildings as the town prepares for Hurricane Helene in Live Oak, Florida.CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH (EFE)Waves impact a house seawall as Hurricane Helene intensifies before its expected landfall on Florida’s Big Bend, in Eastpoint, Florida, U.S. September 26, 2024. Marco Bello (Reuters)A U.S. flag waves as Hurricane Helene intensifies before its expected landfall on Florida’s Big Bend, in Eastpoint, Florida, U.S. September 26, 2024. Marco Bello (Reuters) visitor braves the high surf, storm surge and high winds of Hurricane Helene to take photos at the 'Southernmost Point' buoy in Key West, Florida.SCOTT HALLERAN (EFE)People gather at a marina convenience store as Hurricane Helene intensifies before its expected landfall on Florida’s Big Bend, in Carrabell, Florida.Marco Bello (REUTERS)Chloe Gray, 19, of Safety Harbor wades in the water at the Oldsmar Pier before Hurricane Helene arrives on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Oldsmar, Fla. Jefferee Woo (AP)People bag sand in preparation for possible flooding as Tropical Storm Helene heads toward the state's Gulf Coast on September 25, 2024 in Tallahassee, Florida. Sean Rayford (Getty Images)
