A Cuban-American living in New Port Richey, Florida, has revealed the extensive damage to his home and belongings caused by the passage of Hurricane Helene. In a video posted on TikTok, the user identified as Samuel described the sudden flooding triggered by Helene as leading to a "complete loss" of his possessions.
Samuel also highlighted how high the water level rose and the subsequent lack of a safe place for his pets. The flooding even impacted the vehicles parked at his home. In another video, he warned that the majority of the town's residents were similarly affected by the intense flooding brought by the hurricane.
Widespread Impact Across the Region
Helene made landfall last Thursday as a category 4 hurricane in the Big Bend region of Florida, leaving nearly a hundred fatalities and a trail of destruction across the southeastern United States. With winds reaching up to 140 mph (225 kph), the hurricane struck Florida on Thursday night before moving swiftly toward Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri reported that all the casualties in his county were found in neighborhoods that had been under evacuation orders. Many residents chose not to evacuate, resulting in dire situations where they were forced to seek refuge in their attics to escape the rising waters, he explained.
Severe Flooding and Destruction
The hurricane's passage uprooted trees, demolished homes, and caused rivers to overflow, leading to severe flooding. The extent of the damage has left entire communities struggling to cope with the aftermath of one of the most powerful storms to hit the region in recent years.