Helene death toll grows as US braces for $5bn-plus insurance costs

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Hurricane Helene had caused the deaths of more than 30 people and left more than 4.6mn homes and businesses without power as it swept through the US south-east on Friday, as analysts estimated that it could cause $5bn or more in insurance losses.

Helene was downgraded from a category four hurricane — the second-strongest measure — to a tropical storm after hitting Florida’s Gulf coast late on Thursday with winds of up to 140mph.

By Friday afternoon it had resulted in at least 30 deaths in four states, according to the Associated Press. Helene’s deadly storm surges, high winds and torrential rain left more than 4.6mn homes and businesses in the US south-east without electricity, Reuters reported.

AM Best, the specialist rating agency for the insurance sector, estimated that insured losses from Hurricane Helene will be about $5bn or more, with primary insurers suffering in particular.

The storm made landfall in Florida’s north-west Big Bend region just after 11pm on Thursday, before passing through the state’s Panhandle region and into Georgia at about 1am on Friday, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

“This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,” the centre advised. “Persons should not leave their shelters and remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions.”

Videos posted on social media showed extensive damage in Florida, with high waves hitting the coast and homes and streets flooded.

The hurricane centre noted on Friday that Helene was “weakening as it moves quickly north-northeastward” through Georgia, while also cautioning that the threat from storm surges, high winds and heavy rains remained critical.

It had earlier sounded the alarm about a “deadly” storm surge along the Florida coast, with destructive waves as high as 20ft above ground level.

The centre said damaging winds would penetrate into the Carolina, and warned residents to prepare for power outages.

The US National Weather Service told residents to expect “catastrophic and life-threatening flash and urban flooding, including numerous significant landslides” across parts of the southern Appalachian mountains on Friday.

US President Joe Biden said he was tracking the hurricane and in touch with state and local officials. “I urge everyone in and near the path of Helene to listen to local officials and follow evacuation warnings,” he said. “Take this seriously, and be safe.”