Hurricane “Helene” made landfall on September 28, devastating the coastal hamlet of Keaton Beach in Taylor County, Florida. The Category 4 storm hit the area with gusts of nearly 161 km/h (100 mph) and storm surges of up to 6 m (20 feet), causing widespread destruction.
This area was directly in the path of Helene’s eye after landing near the mouth of the Aucilla River on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Taylor County, where Keaton Beach is located, has experienced three hurricanes in just 13 months. Hurricane “Idalia” struck as a Category 3 storm, while Hurricane “Debby,” which made landfall in late July, was a Category 1 storm.
While 11 deaths have been reported statewide due to drowning and other storm-related causes and over 1189 across the country, no fatalities have yet been confirmed in Taylor County.
However, almost all homes, boats, and vehicles were in the region were destroyed, leaving debris scattered across the village. The storm’s intensity even brought down several buildings that had stood for decades. Residents reported that 60% to 75% of the homes in the area were destroyed.
