Hurricane Helene

The Postal Service is continuing to restore service as quickly as possible where it is safe to do so, following Hurricane Helene. Many offices have resumed operations, while some postal facilities in Southwest Florida are temporarily suspended.

Ranchers, farmers and timber growers are reporting widespread damage from the wind and rain of Hurricane Helene, which raced through rural North Florida last week.Chicken houses had roofs blown off. Acres of sweet corn and carrots were laid horizontal. Irrigation systems have been uprooted. Fences were destroyed by fallen trees. Hay has been left wet and moldy in damaged barns.Incoming Senate President Ben Albritton, a Wauchula Republican and citrus grower, described conditions in fields across North Florida as “worse” than after Hurricane Idalia in August 2023. Idalia took a similar track, crossed many of the same fields and inflicted more than $400 million in damage to the industry.

Charlotte County residents concerned that flooding from Hurricane Helene may have contaminated their private wells can test their water for free while supplies last.

North Carolina officials pledged to get more water and other supplies to flood-stricken areas by Monday after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across the U.S. Southeast and the death toll from the storm rose to nearly 100.At least 91 people across several states were killed. A North Carolina county that includes the mountain city of Asheville reported 30 people killed.

Those affected by Hurricane Helene can apply for FEMA assistance to take care of critical needs.FEMA may provide financial help to assist you with home repairs, temporary housing, or property damage (appliances, furniture, vehicle, etc). You may also qualify for help with childcare, medical, lodging, moving, and funeral expenses.

Businesses in a number of counties in Southwest Florida impacted by Hurricane Helene are eligible to apply for a portion of $15 million via FloridaCommerce's Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.The program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Helene. Interested applicants can apply now through November 24, or until all available funds are expended. Those in need of assistance are encouraged to visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply.

Massive rains from powerful Hurricane Helene left people stranded, without shelter and awaiting rescue Saturday, as the cleanup began from a tempest that killed at least 56 people — another Associated Press story is reporting as many as 100 — caused widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast and left millions without power.“I’ve never seen so many people homeless as what I have right now,” said Janalea England, of Steinhatchee, Florida, a small river town along the state’s rural Big Bend, as she turned her commercial fish market into a storm donation site for friends and neighbors, many of whom couldn’t get insurance on their homes.Helene blew ashore in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday with winds of 140 mph (225 kph).

Producing Artistic Director Greg Longenhagen, General Manager Dianne Summers and Marketing Director Deb Jonsson watched on the news with alarm as 5.12 feet of river water surged into downtown Fort Myers Thursday night from Hurricane Helene. Fortunately, they found far less damage this time than the Rep suffered two years ago during Hurricane Ian

Winds from Hurricane Helene caused damage and power outages Thursday.Numbers are taken from Florida Power and Light's power tracker map and Lee County Electric Cooperative's outage map.

Emergency crews are rushing to rescue people trapped in flooded homes after Helene roared ashore as a powerful Category 4 hurricane in Florida, generating a massive storm surge and knocking out power to millions of customers. At least 25 people were reported dead in four states.