Hurricane Helene, initially a powerful Category 4 storm, devastated the southeastern United States, causing at least 43 deaths and catastrophic flooding. The storm, which downgraded to a tropical depression by Friday afternoon, left over 3.5 million homes and businesses without power and caused severe damage in Florida's Big Bend region, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. Emergency services conducted thousands of water rescues, including airlifting patients from a flooded hospital in Tennessee. Rising waters and potential dam failures prompted evacuations, while residents in affected areas faced significant challenges with power outages and infrastructure damage. Despite the widespread destruction, communities are beginning cleanup efforts and making the best of the dire situation.