Roads are clear of traffic as Hurricane Helen rages off the coast of St. Pete Beach, Florida. AFP
gulf today report
The UAE embassy in Washington DC has advised UAE nationals living in Florida, South Carolina and Atlanta on the west coast to be careful due to Hurricane Helen.
The mission also emphasizes the need to follow safety instructions issued by authorities, contact emergency numbers 0097180024 or 0097180044444 and register with the UAE Tawajudi service.
Hurricane Helen barreled through Florida and into Georgia on Friday as one of the most powerful storms to hit the United States, leaving fear of deaths and widespread destruction in its wake.
Officials have blamed at least one death in Florida so far on the hurricane, since the Category 4 storm made landfall around 11:10 p.m. ET (3:10 p.m. Japan time).
Even before the storm arrived, the storm knocked out power to more than 1 million customers and caused severe flooding in several areas.
Officials feared more deaths would be discovered Friday as the storm hurtled with winds of 140 mph (225 kph) but weakened to 120 kph as it moved north into Georgia.
Helen was expected to generate storm surges, dumping 20 feet (6 meters) of seawater onto land and potentially dropping even more rain.
Officials said it was likely to be several hours before rescue workers could get to those in need.
According to data from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Helen is the 14th most powerful hurricane to hit the entire United States since recorded history and the seventh most powerful hurricane to make landfall in Florida. .