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Videos from Hurricane Helene show devastating flooding and damage to ongoing rescue efforts in Florida

Water as high as street signs. One house burned even as the floodwaters rose. Boats crashed into houses.

These are just some of the dramatic sights city officials share as they work to save people affected by Hurricane Helenewhich hit Big Bend, Florida late Thursday evening as a Category 4 storm and moved quickly across the area.

South Pasadena, Florida, shared several videos of the storm, including one of the house burning amid the rushing floodwaters. The city said crews are working to respond to all emergencies, but dangerous weather conditions could hamper those efforts. The city did not say whether anyone was in the home at the time or whether the fire had been extinguished.

Personnel from the South Pasadena Fire Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office have responded to emergency calls as often as possible. During their water rescue efforts, they encountered a burning residence and large objects, including trash containers, moving through the floodwaters. Emergency crews will continue to respond where possible, but conditions are serious and the worst is believed to be yet to come.

Posted by City of South Pasadena, FL on Thursday, September 26, 2024

In the video, first responders from the South Pasadena Fire Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office can be heard asking if anyone is at other homes in the neighborhood.

The city also said large items, including trash containers, were being pushed through the floodwaters, making conditions particularly dangerous.

A second video shared by the city shows floodwaters reaching the roofs of cars. As rescuers navigate their boat through the flooded area, a strong wind can be heard blowing through the area.

In Treasure Island, Florida, the force of the storm rammed boats into homes along the town's main causeway.

The dam had no standing water, but previous photos from other parts of the city show flooding around businesses and homes.

The city had said that rescue operations could not be carried out in certain parts of the storm due to weather conditions.

In Tampa, a video shared by the city and the mayor Jane Castor shows severe flooding in coastal parts of the city. Video captured by a castor aboard a police helicopter shows the flooded streets of Davis Island.

As the Tampa Bay Times reported, roads to the area had been closed by heavy rains before Hurricane Helene hit and have still not reopened.

Davis Islands

I was just with the Tampa Police Department. We are seeing significant damage in the Davis Islands and port areas. The National Guard was activated to assist in the rescue efforts.

Posted by Jane Castor on Friday September 27, 2024

Helene landed in Florida According to the National Hurricane Center, just after 11 p.m. Eastern Time. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour at the time. Many residents were under evacuation orders, but city officials reported dozens or even hundreds of rescues across the state.

By Vanessa

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