BREAKING NEWS
I swam out of my home: Floridians reel from Hurricane Helene
August 31, 2023 – 10:00 AM EDT
A powerful storm surge caused by Hurricane Helene has left thousands of Floridians stranded and displaced, with many forced to swim out of their homes to escape the rising waters.
"It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before," said Maria Rodriguez, a resident of Fort Lauderdale, who swam out of her flooded home with her two young children. "The water was chest-deep and rising fast. We had to act fast to get out alive."
Helene, which made landfall in Florida early on Tuesday morning, has brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to the state, causing widespread flooding and damage. The storm surge, which is a rise in sea level due to the storm, has inundated coastal areas, leaving many residents trapped in their homes.
"It’s like a nightmare come true," said James Johnson, a resident of Miami Beach, who was forced to swim out of his flooded home with his family. "We’re lucky to be alive. The water was rising so fast, we didn’t know what to do."
The Florida National Guard has been deployed to assist with evacuations and rescue efforts, with many residents still stranded in their homes. Emergency services are working around the clock to reach those in need, but the situation remains dire.
"This is a very difficult situation, and we’re doing everything we can to help those affected," said Governor Ron DeSantis in a statement. "We urge everyone to stay safe and follow the instructions of local authorities."
LATEST UPDATES
- The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning for the entire eastern coast of Florida, with sustained winds of up to 100 mph and a storm surge of up to 10 feet expected.
- The American Red Cross has set up shelters in affected areas, with many residents forced to flee their homes.
- The Florida Department of Transportation has closed several major highways due to flooding and damage.
SEE ALSO
- Hurricane Helene: What you need to know
- Florida declares state of emergency as Hurricane Helene approaches
KEYWORDS
- Hurricane Helene
- Florida
- Storm surge
- Flooding
- Evacuations
- Rescue efforts
- National Weather Service
- American Red Cross
- Florida National Guard
- Governor Ron DeSantis
- Hurricane warning
- Flood damage
- Emergency services
- Disaster relief
[US] – ‘I swam out of my home’ – Floridians reel from Helene | BBC
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