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Deadly Tropical Storm Helene triggers floods, power outages

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Hurricane Helene weakened to a tropical storm after making landfall in Florida, but officials warned the storm remained “dangerous” as it moved inland. Around 20 people have died in four states.

Tropical Storm Helene barreled across the southeastern United States on Friday, killing around 20 people and causing widespread destruction and flooding.

Helene crossed Florida’s northwest coast as a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday with windspeeds of 140 miles per hour (225 kilometers per hour), generating a massive storm surge and cutting off power to millions of homes in multiple states.

Helene later weakened to a tropical storm, but officials warned the storm continued to be “extremely dangerous” as it moved to the Carolinas and Georgia.

At least 11 people died in Georgia alone. Governor Brian Kemp said dozens of people were still trapped in damaged buildings.

Authorities were “having a hard time getting to places” so teams with chainsaws were “working to free up roads,” Kemp told a news conference.

Helene caused widespread damage and left 4 million homes and businesses without power
© Ken Ruinard/The Anderson Independent Mail/USA TODAY NETWORK/REUTERS

 

At least six people died in South Carolina, two in Florida and two in North Carolina. Cities as far inland as Atlanta, Georgia, were hit with flooding from the heavy downpour. In North Carolina, residents near Lake Lure Dam were urged to evacuate to escape an “imminent” dam failure.

The US National Hurricane Center warned residents to shelter from “catastrophic winds,” storm surge and rainfall. “This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,” the center said.

Helene one of largest storms ever to hit Gulf Coast

Helene was unusually large for a Gulf of Mexico hurricane.

Airports in the Florida cities of Tampa, Tallahassee and St. Petersburg remained closed early Friday, while hundreds of flights in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia, were delayed or canceled, according to the tracking website FlightAware.com.

More than 4 million homes and businesses were without power in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina on Friday morning.

The governors of those states as well as Alabama and Virginia all declared emergencies.

The storm brought heavy rains that left neighborhoods underwater
© Paola Chiomante/REUTERS

 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis mobilized the National Guard and ordered thousands of personnel to ready for search-and-rescue operations.

In Georgia, Governor Kemp also mobilized an additional 1,000 National Guard troops, on top of the 500 he mobilized earlier.

More than 55 million Americans were under some form of weather alert or warning from Hurricane Helene
© Joe Raedle/Getty Images

 

US President Joe Biden urged people to heed official evacuation warnings.

“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.”

Where is Helene headed next?

On Friday morning, Helene was moving north with windspeeds of 45 miles per hour (75 kilometers per hour), the National Hurricane Center in Miami reported.

Forecasters said the storm would continue to weaken as it moves into Tennessee and Kentucky.

Helene is expected to bring heavy rain to the Appalachian Mountains, potentially triggering mudslides and flash flooding.

Helene was the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began in June.

mfi,kb/msh (AFP, AP)

Entertainment

2Baba Cries Out For Help in Now Deleted Instagram Post

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This morning, 2Baba posted “Help Me” on his Instagram stories, but less than 20 minutes later, the message vanished.

For the past few days, his relationship with his current wife, Senator Natasha Osawaru, has been under serious scrutiny, as a series of public incidents have surfaced and fuelled widespread speculation about the state of their marriage.

His cry for help should not be taken lightly. But who will answer him?

Will it be his family, his close friends, or the entertainment industry that has benefited from his legendary career?

At this point, one thing is clear. The music icon seems to be calling for real support and those around him cannot afford to look away.

 

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BREAKING: Unknown Gunmen Attack Gov. Otti’s Advance Team In Imo, As Scores Were Kidnapped From A Bus Along Owerri-Road Road

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An advance team of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, escaped unhurt after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2, 2025, along the Umuowa–Ihite axis in Imo State.

The three-member team was en route to Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri, when the attack occurred shortly before the airport junction.

In a statement electronically signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Abia Government clarified that Governor Otti’s main convoy was not involved in the incident and was nowhere near the location at the time.

“The convoy of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, was not attacked. No member of the advance team or any other person sustained injury, and no life was lost,” the statement stressed, urging the public to disregard rumours suggesting otherwise.

It was learned that Security agencies have been notified, and investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the assailants.

Meanwhile, a commercial bus plying along Owerri -Aba road towards the Ngor Okpala axis was attacked Monday and scores of passengers were feared kidnapped by yet-to-identify gunmen.

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Gunmen attack Ngige’s convoy in Anambra

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The convoy of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, was attacked by gunmen in Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Ngige who confirmed the incident to newsmen, stated that he was not in the convoy when the attack occurred. He mentioned that several people were shot and injured.

“I was not in the convoy. I’m still alive and well. Those hoodlums have started again. I came to my state to relax, but what happened is unfortunate. I will go back to Abuja. But I assure those who did this, they will not go unpunished.” he said

The vehicles were reportedly returning from a mechanic workshop in Nkpor when the gunmen struck along the busy Umuoji–Nkpor Road leading to Alor, Ngige’s hometown.

According to Mr. Fred Chukwulobelu, Ngige’s former Special Adviser on Media, a policeman in the pilot car was shot, and the attackers, dressed in police and army uniforms, took away his gun and uniform.

He also confirmed that a woman filming the incident was fatally shot. He added that a shop owner who rushed out to see what was happening was also shot; he lost significant blood and is scheduled for surgery, but is expected to recover fully.

The pilot car was riddled with bullets, while the wounded escort leader has undergone surgery and is also expected to recover.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command said it has launched a state-wide manhunt for the perpetrators.

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