Hurricane Helene (2024)

Basin

North Atlantic

Dates

September 23, 2024 to September 28, 2024

Peak strength

Category 4, 120 kt (138 mph)

Lowest pressure

939 mb (27.73 inHg)

Landfall

Yes

Accumulated cyclone energy

7.0

Tropical-storm-force wind reached

360 nmi (667 km, 414 mi) from the center at its widest

Hurricane-force wind reached

80 nmi (148 km, 92 mi) from the center at its widest

Eyewall radius at its peak

20 nmi (37 km, 23 mi)

Overall size

390 nmi (722 km, 449 mi) to the outermost closed isobar

Peak gust in the best track

140 kt (161 mph)

Fastest the center moved

32 kt (37 mph)

Identifier

AL092024

Radar at KTLH as it neared land, Sep 27, 03:10 UTC

The sources count different things and are not added together.

Landfall points the US agencies flagged in the best track. The nearest town is named from the site’s gazetteer, not from the report.

NOAA’s Storm Events database, the record National Weather Service offices compile months after a storm, as compiled July 2026.

Deaths

81 (58 direct, 23 indirect)

Injuries

116

Property damage

$7.7 billion

Crop damage

$1.8 billion

Events recorded

820 in 59 reports from 15 states and marine areas

State by state

What was recorded

223 tropical storm, 195 high wind, 169 flash flood, 45 hurricane (typhoon), 45 tornado, 30 flood, 26 thunderstorm wind, 23 marine tropical storm, 23 strong wind, 14 tropical depression, 11 storm surge/tide, 5 marine hurricane/typhoon, 3 heavy rain, 3 hail, 2 marine thunderstorm wind, 2 debris flow, 1 funnel cloud.

45 tornadoes recorded in the United States, strongest first.

The strongest winds National Weather Service offices recorded with this storm. An estimated figure is a forecaster’s judgment from the damage, not an instrument reading.

From the Storm Events narratives, unedited.

There were a number of trees downed countywide and 3 directly impacted homes. There were at least three obstructed roadways. There were a number of power disruptions. A maximum of 20,000 people had no power at one point. The Flagler Executive Airport AWOS (KFIN) reported sustained winds of 38 mph with gusts of 51 mph. At 3:19 pm on 9/26, a mesonet site in Palm Coast measured a wind gust of 40 mph. At 6:10 pm, the EM reported a tree fell onto a home at Sellman Court which caused roof damage. There were no injuries reported. At 8 pm, the mesonet site in Palm Coast measured a wind gust of 44 mph. At 7:10 pm, the media reported that a large tree was uprooted and fell on a home in Palm Coast.

Inland Flagler, Florida · Tropical Storm · Sep 26, 15:00 UTC

The media reported tens of thousands of residents lost power. Downed trees blocked major roads. Power lines were damaged across the county. Trees fell on homes. A tree crushed through a home along SW 99th St in the Willow Bend neighborhood of Gainesville where a family resided causing one injury. A tree crushed a vehicle on the Westside of Gainesville along Newberry Rd. At 8:53 pm on 9/26, the ASOS at the Gainesville Regional Airport (KGNV) measured a wind gust of 44 mph. The University of Florida in Gainesville EM reported that numerous trees were blown down across campus, including a large oak tree that fell into Norman Hall and destroyed a window. There was minor building damage and vehicle damage due to fallen trees. The peak wind gusts from the UF WeatherSTEM station was 66 mph with sustained tropical storm force winds measured from about 9:30 pm through 1:30 am.

Eastern Alachua, Florida · Tropical Storm · Sep 26, 16:00 UTC

Widespread trees and powerlines were down throughout the county, many across roads and homes causing entrapments. At 2:15 am on 9/27, the EM reported a fatality in a mobile home. A follow-up media report indicated that there was a male and female killed in a mobile home along Highway 19 at Adams Cemetery Road when the trailer was lifted off of its foundation and thrown into a nearby field. A tree fell on a mobile home along Bell Telephone Road and killed one person inside per a media report. Another person was reported missing. About 85% of county residents were without power. Many businesses in Hazelhurst suffered roof and awning damage. A large tree fell on a home along US 221 causing the roof to collapse. The Georgia Farm Bureau reported numerous flattened or damaged chicken houses in Jeff Davis county.

Jeff Davis, Georgia · Hurricane (Typhoon) · Sep 27, 05:00 UTC

An NWS Storm Survey observed that Treutlen County experienced some of the strongest winds from Helene (> 75 MPH gusts) as it moved across Georgia. The town of Soperton had the worst infrastructure damage with numerous homes and businesses sustaining at least some damage. A furniture factory store was completely gutted by the winds, with all windows shattered, a metal roof blown off, and insulation and debris blown everywhere. There was no power for more than a week for most residents. A tree was reported down on a semi-truck on GA Hwy 29. Trees and powerlines were downed on GA Hwy 46 between Rosemont Church Road and Osceola Road and on East Railroad Ave between Stephens Street and College St. A tree was downed across Swainsboro Highway between Gillis Street and Metter Road. More trees were reported down on US Hwy 221 near Outlaw Grove Road and near GA Hwy 227.

Treutlen, Georgia · Hurricane (Typhoon) · Sep 27, 06:00 UTC

Many trees and power lines down throughout the county. Some roads were closed. Sections of the county were without power. Falling trees caused damage to structures across the county, particularly in the northwest portion of the county. At least 250 homes sustained some level of damage including 18 destroyed and 94 with major damage. Maximum wind recorded at McEntire Air National Guard Base (KMMT) was 31 knots sustained (36 mph) with a max gust of 46 knots (53 mph). A mesonet site located in Columbia at Laurens and Lady streets measured a max gust of 55 mph. A woman was killed when a tree fell on her mobile home. Areas of flooding with many gages throughout the county measuring 2 day rainfall totals between 5 to 8 inches of rain. Heaviest rain was observed in the city of Columbia with a CoCoRaHS gage measuring 10.76 inches north of downtown.

Richland, South Carolina · Tropical Storm · Sep 27, 07:00 UTC

Widespread damage to trees and power lines. Many roads closed, some for extended periods of time. Large sections of the county without power for an extended period. Falling trees caused damage to structures across the county. At least 269 homes sustained some level of damage including 23 destroyed and 90 with major damage. South Carolina Forestry estimated 4.2 million dollars in timber loss. An NWS storm survey estimated that max wind gusts were between 80 to 90 mph based on the extent and severity of damage. Three fatalities occurred, including two firefighters responding to a call who died when a tree fell on their truck. Areas of flooding occurred with two day rainfall totals generally between 5 to 7 inches. The maximum measured two day rainfall was 7.12 inches from a CoCoRaHS gage along Hwy 378 near the Lexington County line.

Saluda, South Carolina · Tropical Storm · Sep 27, 07:00 UTC

A severe and prolonged high wind event from Helene's elevated winds led to catastrophic wind damage to the forests in Unicoi County, primarily at or near ridge top. A video taken by a member of the public showed extreme devastation along Unaka Mountain Wilderness Area and Stamping Ground Ridge near Highway 107. Hundreds to thousands of trees along the top of this mountain range, particularly the east facing slopes, were felled by the high winds, resulting in dozens of miles of mountain trail closures. Additionally two large trees were felled by wind gusts at a campground in the city of Unicoi. A press release with US Forest Service noted that USFS received a $5.25 million relief grant to repair damages within Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee across several Tennessee counties.

Unicoi, Tennessee · High Wind · Sep 27, 08:00 UTC

The AWOS at Wendell H. Ford Airport recorded a peak wind gust of 38 mph at 235 PM EST. However, wind damage reported by the the highway department in Perry County suggests that higher wind gusts occurred. Reports included a large tree blown down onto KY-699 and blocking the highway near the old Leatherwood school. Multiple trees were reportedly blown down along KY-15 North in the vicinity of the Wendell H. Ford Airport and also on Left Fork of Maces Creek about 2.5 miles from KY-7. Single downed trees were reported onto KY-476 near the intersection with Balls Fork Road and along KY-15 at the Breathitt-Perry county line.

Perry, Kentucky · High Wind · Sep 27, 13:20 UTC

The tornado touched down on the east side of Mote Road where several pine trees were snapped. It tracked north-northeast and snapped several pine trees along Smiths Mill Pond Road. Additional snapped pines were noted as the tornado crossed Highway 701 near Smith Mill Pond Road across from Gaddie Norris Drive. It continued moving north to Peter Cromartie Road where a large limbs and several smaller limbs were broken out of a large oak tree. This is a separate tornado from one that developed about one mile to the west around the time this tornado dissipated and crossed the Bladen-Sampson county line at Helltown Road Details on that tornado can be fund in a Public Information Statement issued by NWS Raleigh.

Bladen, North Carolina · Tornado · Sep 27, 15:17 UTC

A tornado touched down just southwest of the intersection of Highway 210 and Turney Berry Lane, where it snapped numerous 12 diameter pine trees and uprooted large blueberry bushes. It moved north-northeast, and crossed Peter Cromartie Road, where minor roof damage was noted, along with several snapped trees. The tornado continued north-northeast to the Bladen-Sampson county line, exiting the county near the Helltown Road bridge across the South River. Numerous large trees were snapped near the county line, along with downed power lines. Numerous trees snapped along Helltown Rd around the county border area with power lines downed and an outbuilding damaged by fallen tree. Along and near Elwell Road, large, healthy, and leafy oak tree was uprooted with saturated soils. Numerous large limbs snapped out of oak tree with a few other limbs snapped out of nearby trees.

Sampson, North Carolina · Tornado · Sep 27, 15:26 UTC

The South Fork Holston River at Riverside near Chilhowie (SHLV2) crested at 10.87 feet at 20:00 UTC/4:15 PM EDT on Sept. 27th due to heavy rain associated with Tropical Cyclone Helene. This is a new Flood-of-Record for this gage, with records dating back to October 1920. The discharge of 11,300 cfs for 10.87 feet was estimated through extrapolation as this stage is above the rating curve. This discharge would be greater than a 500-year Average Recurrence Interval (ARI), or a 0.2% Annual Exceedance Probability per USGS StreamStats. The flooding was the result of between 10 and locally 16 inches of rain that fell in multiple rounds across the basin between the 25th and 27th, with 3-day totals across most of the upper basin exceeding an 1,000-year ARI per NOAA Atlas 14 Point Precipitation Frequency estimates.

Smyth, Virginia · Flood · Sep 27, 16:44 UTC

Non-thunderstorm winds downed hundreds of trees across the county, including dozens onto roads and power poles, and a reported 25 onto homes. Two homes ascertained major damage, with minor to moderate damage to most other homes affected. The Department of Public Works acquired extra resources to make two passes to clear both debris from roadways/intersections and then ultimately remove debris. The traffic signal/streetlight infrastructure was also impacted. Wind gusts at or in excess of 58 MPH were occasionally observed at the Indianapolis International Airport (KIND)'s ASOS during 1742-1831 EST, including a peak gust to 68 MPH at 1756 EST. As many as nearly 58,00 persons were without power.

Marion, Indiana · High Wind · Sep 27, 22:30 UTC

Flooding on the Cocke County side from the massive flood wave on the Nolichucky River near Lowland. The Lowland river gauge was above its previous record crest for nearly 20 hours, cresting at 35.16 feet at 10:15 am EST on the 28th, 9 feet above its previous record. Damaging flooding occurred, but in mostly rural and agricultural areas. As the river swelled out of its banks in the area where it becomes the border between Greene and Cocke counties, it flooded Goodwater Road around midnight where an elderly couple were swept away in their vehicle trying to escape. All told, Cocke County estimates $24.3 million in total county damages, which are included in the entry for the Pigeon River record flooding.

Cocke, Tennessee · Flood · Sep 28, 04:00 UTC

A slow moving thunderstorm produced about four inches of rain within a 75-minute period, with rates approaching five inches per hour. At 7 pm EDT, CREST Unit Flow peaked at an exceptional 2,612 cfs/mi^2, while rainfall amounts rose to 220 percent of Flash Flood Guidance. Runoff from this rainfall caused several roads in the Ajax area through Gretna area of Pittsylvania County to become flooded and impassible until the water receded, including Jasmine Road (Highway 778), Sandy Road, Grassland Drive and West Gretna Road. Millstream Drive was reported washed out by Georges Creek, making the road impassible until repairs can be completed. Whitehorn Creek reportedly overflowed its bank across Chalk Level Road, making the road impassible until the flooding receded. At least four other roads, names unknown, were flooded and impassible along the western and northwestern sides of Gretna.

Pittsylvania, Virginia · Flash Flood · Sep 30, 22:45 UTC

• Tropical Storm AlbertoNorth Atlantic · 2024 · 2 deaths · $125 millionTropical Storm45 kt · 992 mb
• Hurricane BerylNorth Atlantic · 2024 · 35 deaths · $7.2 billionCat 5145 kt · 932 mb
• Tropical Storm ChrisNorth Atlantic · 2024 · 5 deathsTropical Storm40 kt · 1005 mb
• Hurricane DebbyNorth Atlantic · 2024 · 12 deaths · $2.5 billionCat 170 kt · 979 mb
• Hurricane ErnestoNorth Atlantic · 2024 · 3 deathsCat 285 kt · 967 mb
• Hurricane FrancineNorth Atlantic · 2024 · $1.3 billionCat 290 kt · 972 mb
• Tropical Storm GordonNorth Atlantic · 2024Tropical Storm40 kt · 1004 mb
• Unnamed tropical stormNorth Atlantic · 2024Tropical Storm50 kt · 1004 mb
• Hurricane IsaacNorth Atlantic · 2024Cat 290 kt · 963 mb
• Tropical Storm JoyceNorth Atlantic · 2024Tropical Storm45 kt · 1001 mb
• Hurricane KirkNorth Atlantic · 2024Cat 4130 kt · 928 mb
• Hurricane LeslieNorth Atlantic · 2024Cat 290 kt · 970 mb
• Hurricane MiltonNorth Atlantic · 2024 · 15 deaths · $34 billionCat 5155 kt · 895 mb
• Tropical Storm NadineNorth Atlantic · 2024 · 7 deathsTropical Storm50 kt · 1002 mb
• Hurricane OscarNorth Atlantic · 2024 · 8 deathsCat 175 kt · 984 mb
• Tropical Storm PattyNorth Atlantic · 2024Tropical Storm55 kt · 977 mb
• Hurricane RafaelNorth Atlantic · 2024 · 2 deathsCat 3105 kt · 954 mb
• Tropical Storm SaraNorth Atlantic · 2024 · 9 deathsTropical Storm45 kt · 997 mb

A best track is the record a warning agency settles on after the storm, not what it said at the time: position, maximum sustained wind and central pressure every six hours, revised against every observation that came in later. Category is the Saffir-Simpson scale, which runs from Category 1 at 64 kt to Category 5 at 137 kt and reads wind only, so it says nothing about surge or rain. Accumulated cyclone energy adds up the square of the wind through the storm's life, so it counts strength and duration together.

Storm history from NOAA NCEI’s International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS), which merges the official best track of every warning agency. Live storms, cones, watches and warnings from the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived radar from NOAA’s Level II archive.

• Tropical cyclone report, National Hurricane Center
• Every advisory and discussion NHC issued while it was live
• Best track as KMZ, National Hurricane Center
• Best track as a shapefile, National Hurricane Center
• Wikipedia article: Hurricane Helene