The ninth tropical cyclone, eighth named storm, third hurricane, first major hurricane, and only Category 5 storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Helene would cause widespread damage throughout its life, particularly in the Lesser Antilles, the Bahamas, and the southeastern United States. Helene developed from a tropical wave west of Cape Verde on August 20. Relatively favorable conditions allowed it to gradually strengthen over the open Atlantic, becoming a hurricane on August 23. Helene continued to intensify, becoming a major hurricane on August 24 and a Category 4 storm on August 25. On August 26, Helene intensified into a Category 5 hurricane as it began to affect the Lesser Antilles. Helene reached its peak strength the next day with sustained winds of 165 mph and a barometric pressure of 922 mb. Helene, as the only Category 5 hurricane of the 2024 season, was the strongest storm in terms of wind speed that year in the Atlantic; and it was the second most intense system worldwide that year, behind Typhoon XXXX (TBD). Land interaction with the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas would cause Helene to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane; additionally, an eyewall replacement cycle would cause the system to weaken significantly before it made landfall near Daytona Beach, Florida, on August 31. Helene would rapidly weaken, degenerating into a remnant low over Georgia on September 2, and eventually dissipating on September 5, over the state of Virginia.
Helene caused extensive damage in parts of the Lesser Antilles, the Bahamas, and the southeastern United States, particularly in Florida and Georgia. Helene is estimated to have caused 153 total deaths (97 direct and 56 indirect); this list includes 4 deaths in Antigua and Barbuda, 3 deaths in Puerto Rico, 11 deaths in the Turks and Caicos Islands, 36 deaths in the Bahamas, 62 deaths in Florida, 35 deaths in Georgia, and 2 deaths in North Carolina.
A tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa on August 17, which would move westward and cross Cape Verde on August 19. This wave would gradually organize as it passed Cape Verde and develop into a tropical depression by 0600 UTC on August 20. After strengthening into a tropical depression, the system would gradually move westward and intensify into a tropical storm by 0000 UTC on August 21. Favorable conditions allowed the system to gradually develop further as a central dense overcast formed on August 22. This new development, along with the formation of an eye, allowed Helene to rapidly intensify into a hurricane by 0000 UTC on August 23. A small intrusion of dry air around 0100 UTC on August 23 would limit intensification for a few hours, but Helene resumed its intensification at 1200 UTC that day and became a Category 2 hurricane by 0600 UTC on August 24. Hurricane Helene, whose cloud tops began to cool rapidly as its eye became more pronounced, began a phase of rapid intensification, allowing Helene to attain major hurricane status at 1800 UTC on August 24 and Category 4 status only 12 hours later at 0600 UTC on August 25. At 0315 UTC on August 25, a reconnaissance flight took off from Barbados and headed northeast to intercept the system. The flight eventually discovered sustained winds of 120 knots (140 mph) as the system continued to intensify and an eye diameter of about 30 miles. At 0600 UTC on August 26, Helene would intensify into a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 160 mph, located 150 miles northeast of the Lesser Antilles. Intensification slowed considerably at this point, but by 0000 UTC on August 27, Helene would intensify further to reach its peak intensity of 165 mph and a pressure of 922 mb. On August 27, Helene would move along a northwesterly trajectory toward the Bahamas and by 00:00 UTC on August 28, Helene would weaken again to 160 mph, still a Category 5 hurricane. However, land interaction with the Lesser Antilles, the Bahamas, and various other islands would cause Helene to slightly degrade in structure and weaken again to Category 4 status by 12:00 UTC that day. Additionally, by 18:00 UTC that day, Helene would absorb leftover moisture from Tropical Storm Isaac to the southwest.
On August 29, while still a Category 4 hurricane, Helene made a turn toward the northwest while located just east of the Bahamas. Beginning around 18:00 UTC on August 29, Helene also began an eyewall replacement cycle, which, in conjunction with land interaction with the Bahamas, caused Helene to weaken considerably, from 150 mph to 140 mph over the course of 12 hours. As it approached and passed on August 30, Helene again moved toward the west, passing just north of the northernmost islands of the Bahamas. From there, as it approached the Florida Peninsula, Helene weakened to Category 3 status upon making landfall near Daytona Beach, Florida at 00:00 UTC on August 31, with sustained winds of 125 mph and a barometric pressure of 944 mb. Once over land, Helene rapidly weakened as it was pulled northward; Helene weakened to Category 2 at 06:00 UTC and Category 1 at 12:00 UTC, before weakening further to a tropical storm at 00:00 UTC on September 1. Helene continued to weaken further, falling to depression status at 12:00 UTC on September 1, located over the state of Georgia. From this point on, Helene stalled over eastern Georgia, before turning westward and degenerating into a remnant low at 0600 UTC on September 2, located over central Georgia.
The remnants of Helene would move westward and then southeastward before re-emerging over the Atlantic at 1800 UTC on September 4. This passage over the Atlantic proved too brief to provide much opportunity for regeneration, and the remnants of Helene would move over land again near Cape Island, South Carolina at 1200 UTC on September 4—just 18 hours after crossing the Atlantic. Once over land again, any semblance of organization quickly fell apart, and the remnants of Helene dissipated at 0600 UTC on September 65 after crossing southern Virginia. Residual moisture from the system would continue to move north-northeastward along the East Coast before its residual moisture is absorbed by a front passing over the state of New Jersey on September 7.
As Helene's forecasts predicted that the storm would pass through or be near the Lesser Antilles, tropical storm and hurricane watches were issued for parts of the Lesser Antilles from August 24 to August 26.
In Antigua and Barbuda, residents built defenses and cleared areas around their homes in anticipation of high winds. In addition, many residents of Antigua and Barbuda sought refuge on the islands. Additionally, Prime Minister Gaston Browne issued an online warning for residents to take shelter and protect their homes in anticipation of high winds from Helene on August 25. Additionally, on August 24, hurricane watches were issued for Antigua and Barbuda, although these were upgraded to tropical storm watches on August 25. Finally, these warnings were lifted on August 27 as the storm passed the islands and no longer posed a threat to the islands. On the islands of Dominica and Guadeloupe, local authorities urged residents to protect their homes and take shelter in case the storm took a southerly path; in addition, tropical storm warnings were issued on August 24. However, as the storm took a more northerly path, these warnings were lifted on August 26.
In Saint Kitts and Nevis and Anguilla, hurricane warnings were issued for these countries on August 24, but were upgraded to tropical storm warnings on August 25 as the island passed north of the islands. In addition, local authorities urged residents to take shelter and protect their homes in anticipation of high winds. These warnings were finally lifted on August 27 as the storm passed close to the islands. However, in Anguilla, warnings were maintained until early August 28. Finally, in the British and US Virgin Islands, local authorities, as in other Caribbean countries, also urged citizens to take shelter and protect their homes and take appropriate measures in anticipation of the storm. In addition, tropical storm watches were issued in both island groups on August 24, which were quickly upgraded to tropical storm warnings on August 25. These warnings were later fully lifted on August 27 in the British Virgin Islands and on August 28 in the US Virgin Islands.
Greater Antilles
In the Dominican Republic, tropical storm warnings were issued for eastern parts of the country, from La Romana to Espaillat Province, on August 25. However, as the storm tracked further north, these warnings were lifted on August 26.
In Puerto Rico, hurricane warnings were issued on August 24, and then upgraded to hurricane warnings on August 25. However, as the storm tracked further north, these warnings were downgraded to tropical storm warnings. These warnings remained in effect until August 26, when they were downgraded to tropical storm warnings. All warnings were then maintained until August 28, after the storm had passed. On August 24, the governor of Puerto Rico declared a state of emergency and urged citizens to take shelter in anticipation of high winds. Residents also boarded up their homes and cleaned up their surroundings to minimize debris.
On August 26, the Cuban government issued a tropical storm warning for eastern parts of the country in anticipation of tropical storm-force winds. On August 27, this warning was upgraded to a tropical storm warning, and on August 28, the warning was lifted entirely as Helene passed north of the islands. Some people in the affected areas protected their homes and cleaned up to minimize debris, but not on a scale comparable to other parts of the Caribbean.
The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands
In the Turks and Caicos Islands, which were directly within Helene's storm cone, hurricane warnings were issued on August 26. At that time, the Governor of the islands, Nigel Dakin, issued orders to evacuate the islands if possible and seek shelter, in anticipation of a direct landfall near or on the island chain. Additionally, hurricane warnings were upgraded to cyclone warnings on August 27, as the storm moved closer to the islands. These hurricane warnings were maintained until August 28, when they were downgraded to tropical storm warnings, as the storm took a more northerly track than initially feared. Tropical storm warnings were maintained until August 29, when the storm turned northward and moved away from the islands. Turks and Caicos Islanders who were unable to evacuate or seek shelter protected their homes and cleaned up debris, as they did on other Caribbean islands.
The Bahamas
Like the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas was directly in the cone of Hurricane Helene. Hurricane warnings were issued for the southeasternmost islands of the archipelago late on August 27 (Mayaguana, Crooked, and Inagua Islands). On August 28, as the storm approached the archipelago, the Governor General of the Bahamas, Sir Cornelius A. Smith, ordered Bahamian citizens to evacuate or seek shelter if they could not evacuate. Also on August 28, hurricane warnings were issued for all of the Bahamas, with the exception of Grand Bahama and Grand Abaco (where tropical storm warnings had been issued). Around this time, warnings in the southeastern Bahamas were upgraded to hurricane warnings, although in Inagua they were downgraded to tropical storm warnings as the storm moved north. On August 29, as the track shifted further north, warnings in Grand Bahama and Grand Abaco were upgraded to tropical storm warnings. Later that day, tropical storm warnings were upgraded to hurricane warnings as Helene moved northward and was forecast to make landfall in the islands. Also on August 29, at approximately 12:00 UTC, warnings in the southeastern Bahamas were lifted as the storm moved away from those islands. At this time, hurricane warnings in Andros and New Providence were downgraded to tropical storm warnings. All warnings were then maintained until August 30, when all warnings were lifted, with the exception of hurricane warnings in Grand Bahama and Grand Abaco. These warnings were then downgraded to tropical storm warnings later on August 30, before being lifted completely on August 31.
As in other Caribbean islands, Bahamian residents who were unable to evacuate and did not take shelter protected their homes and cleared debris in anticipation of high winds and heavy rains.
United States
Florida
On August 29, as Helene was a Category 4 hurricane east of the Bahamas, and in anticipation of the storm passing through the Bahamas, hurricane warnings were issued from Miami to West Palm Beach, and tropical storm warnings from Key Largo to Homestead and from West Palm Beach to Port St. Lucie. However, later that day, as Helene made an unexpected turn northward, the warnings were revised. Hurricane warnings were then issued from West Palm Beach to Titusville and tropical storm warnings from Titusville to Palm Coast and from West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale. On August 30, as Helene passed over the northern Bahamas, warnings were modified once again - hurricane warnings were issued from St. Augustine south to Titusville, while tropical storm warnings were issued from the Georgia border to St. Augustine and from Titusville to Port St. Lucie. Additionally, a hurricane warning was issued for the west coast of Florida from Cedar Key to Steinhatchee, and a tropical storm warning from Steinhatchee to Jefferson County. Later that day, these warnings were upgraded to the corresponding warning level, and hurricane warnings on the east coast were extended as far south as Cocoa. On August 31, as Helene made landfall near Daytona Beach, all warnings remained as they were, but an additional tropical storm warning was issued from Cedar Key to Crystal River. By midday on August 31, as the storm moved further inland, the tropical storm warning from Cocoa to Port St. Lucie was discontinued and the hurricane warning from Cocoa to St. Augustine was downgraded to a tropical storm warning as hurricane-force winds receded. However, at that time, the tropical storm warning from the Georgia border to St. Augustine would be upgraded to a hurricane warning while the tropical storm warning from Steinhatchee to Jefferson County would be upgraded to a hurricane warning with an additional tropical storm warning along the Jefferson County coast being issued at that time. On September 1, as Helene weakened to a tropical storm and moved into the state of Georgia, all warnings would be discontinued except for a tropical storm warning from the Georgia border to St. Augustine which would remain in effect. This final round of warnings would be discontinued at 12:00 UTC on September 1, as Helene had weakened to a tropical depression.
On August 29, as Helene approached the Florida panhandle, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an evacuation order that forced 3.5 million Floridians to evacuate coastal and even inland areas. Those who did not evacuate protected their homes from high winds and flying debris and cleared areas around their homes to minimize debris. Others who did neither often took shelter in anticipation of the storm.
Georgia
On August 30, as the storm was expected to turn north after hitting Florida, tropical storm watches were issued for the entire Georgia coast. Later that day, they were upgraded to tropical storm warnings. These warnings remained in effect until 12:00 UTC on September 1, when they were lifted as Helene weakened to a depression. Additionally, on August 31, the Governor of Georgia urged residents to protect their homes and seek shelter. Additionally, flood warnings were issued for large areas of central Georgia as the system was expected to slow over the state.
The Carolinas
Late on August 30, a tropical storm warning was issued for South Carolina from the Georgia border east to Beaufort. By noon on August 31, this warning was upgraded to a tropical storm warning, while a warning was issued from Beaufort to Folly Beach. These warnings remained in effect until they were lifted at 12:00 UTC on September 1, when Helene weakened to a tropical depression.
Antigua and Barbuda
On August 26, the eye of Hurricane Helene would pass about 120 miles (190 kilometers) north of the island of Barbuda, and Helene would bring tropical storm-force winds to the island. A weather station in Codrington would record a gust of 71 mph (114 km/h), although sustained winds on the island would be closer to 45 to 50 mph (72 to 80 km/h), depending on the location on the island. Additionally, Helene would cause moderate damage to the island, totaling up to about $50 million, and the death toll on the island would be 2 people.
Antigua, which is further south than Barbuda, suffered less damage than Barbados. Helene would pass about 160 miles north of Antigua and the maximum gust recorded there was 56 mph, and sustained winds on the island were about 40-45 mph, which varies depending on where you are on the island. Helene would cause fairly light damage to Antigua due to its distance from the island, and would ultimately cause $20 million in damage and one death due to rip currents.
Anguilla
Anguilla is the northernmost island of the Lesser Antilles and as such was the island most affected by Hurricane Helene's passage north of the island on August 26. Winds reaching 65 mph were observed in the northern parts of the island and a gust reaching 80 mph was observed on North Side, in the northeast of the island. Some homes had their roofs collapsed and Helene dumped up to 12 inches of rain in some isolated areas, although damage was estimated at $65 million and 3 people died.
Guadeloupe
On August 26, the center of Hurricane Helene passed about 220 miles (350 km) north of the Caribbean country of Guadeloupe. Given its distance, the island narrowly avoided the tropical storm-force winds associated with Helene, with sustained winds reaching 37 mph (60 km/h) at the northern tip of the island. However, it did experience gale-force winds, with the highest recorded gusts reaching 49 mph (79 km/h). However, while not a wind threat, Hélène still dumped torrential rain on the island, with some locations recording up to 8.5 inches associated with the storm. In total, Hélène ultimately caused $20 million in damage and one death in Guadeloupe.