Complete Destruction: Keaton Beach, Florida homes gone after Hurricane Helene

Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett said 90% of Keaton Beach homes “are gone” in the aftermath of the storm.

Major Hurricane Helene came roaring ashore into Florida's Big Bend region as a catastrophic Category 4 storm, lashing the region with hurricane-force winds and threatening with a potentially "unsurvivable" 20-foot storm surge and flooding rain.

Helene made landfall about 10 miles west-southwest of Perry, Florida, at 11:10 p.m. ET Thursday with impacts felt hundreds of miles away. At least two deaths were reported in Wheeler County, Georgia, where a mobile home was damaged during one of the many Tornado Warnings. In Florida, at least one person was killed in a crash on Interstate 4 in the Tampa area that involved a highway sign on top of a car.

The hurricane's storm surge was significant enough to trigger water rescues from the Big Bend to Southwest Florida, and mobile homes were even said to be floating in the coastal town of Steinhatchee.

Earlier this week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for 61 of the state’s 67 counties to help agencies prepare for the storm.

Shelters have also been opened for evacuated Florida residents, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management said that as of Wednesday night, about 500 people were seeking safety in a shelter.

And it wasn’t only residents who have been busy preparing – travel is also being impacted.

Raw and unfiltered. Watch a non-stop stream of breaking news, live events and stories across the nation. Limited commentary. No opinion. Experience LiveNOW from FOX.

LIVE NOW: Senate Boeing hearing, Hurricane Helene Surges Towards Florida FULL COVERAGE

[Darkangel]

Absolutely heartbreaking 💔 hope everyone is safe

[johnphipps]

I live in the Northeast and have to deal with winter storms, but I couldn't stand being hit with constant hurricanes... so sad.

[K_DZ]

Thanks for showing this update, can’t imagine the loss these people are going through. Pray that no lives were lost. 🙏🏻😢🙏🏻

[williamloree]

I remember when hurricane Andrew happened it was horrible - many prayers to all the families for their loss.

[IanRiebel-hw]

All barrier island should be returned to state national Parks. There should not rebuilding of homes in low line areas that just keep getting demolished every year, causing higher interest rates to the rest of us that live in land in Florida. I was born in Florida in 1981 went to the same high school as my parents. I now how to live in Florida. Never made an insurance clams in my life!!!’

[frankblangeard]

Maybe building on the beach in Florida is not such a good idea?

[jeepthing]

Keaton Beach looks to comprise of about 100 homes sitting on 2 narrow fingers of land with one street on each. They stick out into the water protected by nothing. It's about as vulnerable as possible. The homes still there appear to be the ones supported by concrete stilts a good 10 feet up.

[agnesjoseph]

It is devastating. I feel sorry. Mother nature oh dear!

[flowalsh]

it is all sad. They’re out the United States with all the different storms and such. I would love to live on the beach, or even coastal, but however, tons more damage can be done to your place, if you live on the beach or coastal. I am thankful I live in Lynn, I am faithful. Also, I live on a ridgeline in Florida and highlands county. When you purchase and build a home on the beach or near the beach, expect hurricanes, expect mother nature to be brutal. I’ll be praying for everybody in the path of this storm.

[MatthewOnAMissionFromGod]

I feel terrible for those people. They must be completely in shock right now. Who could've predicted something like this happening to your home on waterfront property 😮

[Somatom_Man]

This is the key to lower ALL insurance prices in the U.S. Make homes like this, built on the ground, by the coastline, uninsurable. Everyday American's are paying for these to be continually rebuilt and they are tired of it.

[rander]

Terrible. I wouldn't build a home anywhere in Florida that wasn't built like a brick you-know-what house. It's just a matter of time before a hurricane hits you.

[UtwoBed]

One thing it demonstrates the difference between homes properly built to withstand a hurricane and those that are not.

[isabelreyes]

LORD, Jesus Help those in Keaton Beach 🙏🙏🙏

[shinestar]

Can't wait to see my insurance bills next year.

[purrfection]

This reminds me of Seabrook, TX and several other communities that have been wiped out due to hurricanes, after every storm they rebuild stronger than before and many of the homes have been raised to avoid as much damage as possible from the storm surges

[josephcarioggia]

Wow my heart goes out to these people...

[christinelaw]

So devastating…omg…I’m praying for everyone’s damages and injuries, along with deaths..🌾💞🙏🙏🤗🤗💞🌾

[gwrulzmylife]

Mr Obvious asks: If 90% of homes were destroyed, then future homes there should be built like the 10% that were not destroyed?

🤷‍♂️ idk because not a Florida resident 😐 yet...

[gramblam]

I know so many people that live there! I live in perry about 25 minutes from there. This is so sad