Gunmen, on Saturday, attacked two homesteads in a village outside Lusikisiki, in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, and killed at least 17 people from a single family in their sleep.

The victims were gathered for a traditional ceremony when they were attacked, the New York Times quoted the police to have confirmed to journalists.

Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, told a local media that 13 people were killed in one homestead, twelve of whom were women, adding that six other victims survived, one of whom was a two-month-old baby, while one victim is in critical condition at a local medical facility.

Ms Mathe stated that the attack of the second homestead witnessed the killing of all four people inside a single house.

A manhunt of the assailants have been launched while the police officers cordoned off the roads at the scene. The officers are joined with forensics teams at both homesteads, while community members are gathered on the other side under the rain.

Spokesperson for the local municipality, Lwando Nonkonyana, said the mass shooting was “a shock to the area,” adding that, “This is the first time we’ve witnessed something like this.”

Meanwhile, officers have lamented the high rate of illegal firearms possession and high rates of gun violence in the region, with the police minister, Senzo Mchunu, in a press briefing on Saturday saying, “It’s an intolerably huge number of people.”

Mr Mchunu disclosed that in the past four months, over 430 illegal firearms were confiscated, mostly in the Eastern Cape, adding that officers were treating the mass killing as a priority.

The sad incident comes almost two years after gunmen in January 2023, attacked and killed eight people at a birthday party in Gqeberha, in Eastern Cape Province.

Gunmen in April 2023 also killed 10 people at a homestead outside the city of Pietermaritzburg, while at least 19 people were shot and killed in multiple taverns, including in Johannesburg’s Soweto township, in July 2022.

Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, with swarms of combat drones overnight, authorities said on Monday.

The drones attacked from all sides, the Kiev military administration said on Telegram, adding that all drones had been repelled.

There were initially no reports of casualties or damages.

In the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone hit unspecified infrastructure, causing a fire.

Ukraine’s Air Force said that 67 of 73 drones had been shot down overnight.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022. The country is highly dependent on Western weapons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly urged his Western allies to provide more air defence systems to be able to better protect Ukrainian cities from constant Russian drone and missile strikes.

The family of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has accused Southeast governors of preventing the release of the pro-Biafra agitator.

Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel said Southeast governors should learn from other zones who worked for their freedom fighters.

In a statement he signed, Emmanuel accused Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja of being an obstacle to Kanu’s freedom.

The statement reads partly: “South East Governors, why are you stopping the freedom of your own son? To what benefit is it to keep your son perpetually incarcerated?

“Why can’t the SE Governors take a cue from other zones who collectively worked for the freedom of their freedom fighters? South-East Governors, what are you afraid of?

“Governor Hope Uzodinma you’re the chairman of the SE Governors Forum and by extension the political rallying point of the South East Political leaders therefore, what is stopping you from showing leadership and leading from the front to go release your brother?

“Our candid view on the 24th of September court proceedings is that both Binta Nyako and Morgaji Bichi acted as obstacles, not only undermining Nigeria with their rigid stances but also creating significant embarrassment for the current administration that inherited these issues.

“Those opposed to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release are inadvertently suggesting to the international community that this administration is ineffective.”

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, says its Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch, OPWP, has destroyed a terrorist logistics base at Yadi Forest in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Group Capt. Kabiru Ali, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Ali said the operation was executed following credible intelligence indicating huge presence of terrorists and their weapons cache in the Yadi Forest.

According to him, the intensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance confirmed the consistent presence of terrorists and their motorcycles at the location.

He stated that additional intelligence revealed that the logistics base belonged to the notorious terrorist kingpin, Kadade Gurgu, a close ally of Dogo Gide.

Ali further said that available intelligence at the disposal of the NAF revealed that Kadage Gurgu had been providing shelter for notorious terrorist kingpins following the aggressive military operations in Sokoto and Zamfara States.

He added that the air component dispatched an aircraft, supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, ISR, platform, to attack the target.

According to him, the target area initially appeared uninhabited but as the aircraft approached, some of the terrorists were seen emerging from under the shrubbery and running away from the area.

“Subsequently, the target were engaged recording successful hits on the logistics facility, which was engulfed in flames with thick black smoke seen.

“Reports from independent sources, including local informants around the general area, later confirmed that the logistics base was totally destroyed and scores of terrorists were killed as a result of the attack.

“The NAF, in collaboration with surface forces, will continue to dominate the battlespace through extensive situational awareness, constant patrols, and targeted interdiction of bandits’ safe havens within its area of responsibility and neighbouring states.

“This aims to decimate and flush out terrorism and criminal activities within the Northwest and North Central region,” he said.

A suspected gas explosion has occurred at the residence of a Nigerian journalist, Abdulkareem Haruna, sending shockwaves through the neighborhood.

This was made known on Monday by Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, in a post on his X handle.

Makama said that the explosion, believed to have been caused by a faulty gas cylinder, tore through the kitchen as family members were preparing for the naming ceremony of a new born child.

According to the report, two individuals present at the scene sustained serious injuries, while a newborn baby was caught in the blast and slipped into a coma due to the trauma.

“Gas Explosion Rocks Journalist Abdulkareem Haruna’s Home, Injures Two and Leaves Newborn in Coma.

“In a tragic incident this morning, a sudden gas explosion occurred at the residence of journalist Abdulkareem Haruna, sending shockwaves through the neighborhood. @kareem1575.

“The explosion, which is believed to have been caused by a faulty gas cylinder, tore through the kitchen as family members were preparing for the naming ceremony of the new born child.

“Two individuals present at the scene sustained serious injuries.

“Also In a heartbreaking turn, a newborn baby, just days old, was caught in the blast and slipped into a coma due to the trauma.

“Let us rally around Abdulkareem Haruna and his family, hoping for the speedy recovery of the injured and pray for the newborn child,” Zagazola posted on X.

Abdullahi Ganduje, the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, has condoled the families of five police officers who died in a motor accident while returning from Edo.

Mr Ganduje spoke at the Bichi Central Mosque, while offering prayers for the deceased police officers.

Mr Ganduje described the incident as a sad moment for the Police Force, himself, and the nation in general.

Mr Ganduje donated N2 million to each of the five deceased officers’ families and N1 million to ten injured officers.

Mr Ganduje noted that the accident was a sad moment not only to the Police Force but to the entire nation in general.

“I decided to personally come down to Bichi because of the enormity of the situatiin, and because the officers died in active service.”

Rep. Kabir Abubakar, House committee chairman on appropriation, also condoled the families of the deceased officers.

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, October 1, as a public holiday to commemorate the nation’s 64th Independence Day Anniversary.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this declaration in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Saturday in Abuja.

Tunji-Ojo felicitated with Nigerians at home and abroad on the occasion.

The minister applauded the patient and hardworking Nigerian men and women, stressing that their sacrifices would not be in vain.

He emphasised the need for Nigerians to reflect on the labour of our heroes past and be inspired for the tasks ahead.

The minister, while wishing Nigerians a happy celebration,
urged them to continue to be steadfast in nation-building.

The Federal Government on Friday re-arraigned 10 persons arrested in connection with #EndBadGovernance protest organised between August 1 and August 10 on alleged treasonable felony.

The Federal Government, through the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, re-arraigned them on eight-count amended charge following an application by the prosecution counsel, Simon Lough, SAN, before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The 10 protesters were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Gombe states over the 10-day protest which resulted in violence and killings in parts of the country.

The 10 protesters were arraigned on September 2 before Justice Nwite on a six-count charge.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

The judge admitted them to N10 million bail each on September 11 with one surety in like sum.

Upon resumed hearing on Friday, Mr Lough, in his application, sought to substitute the earlier charge with the amended one which included Daniel Akande as 11th defendant.

Mr Akande, a member of the Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights, was arrested on September 1 in Abuja during a church service.

After the fresh counts were read to the defendants, they pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Mr Akande (11th defendant)’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, prayed the court to admit his client to bail on a liberal terms, while other defendants’ lawyers urged the court to allow their clients to continue with earlier bail granted them.

The judge agreed with Mr Adeyanju and admitted Mr Akande to N10 million bail with one surety in like sum.

He also held that the defendant must submit his passport to the court registry.

He said the surety must swear to an affidavit of means and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Nwite also granted the prayers of the other defence counsel.

Earlier, counsel to the 1st and 2nd defendants, Abubakar Marshal, opposed the application by Mr Lough for the amended charge to be read to the defendants.

Mr Marshal argued that the charge was not in line with Section 216 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

He submitted that the prosecution cannot unilaterally amend the charge without the leave and permission of the court.

He also told the court that the prosecution had not served the parties with the proof of evidence which the defendants would rely on.

He said in the course of previous proceedings, they did apply and emphasised the need for the prosecution to furnish them with the proof of evidence to enable the defendants prepare for their trial.

Mr Marshal further stated that the prosecution must furnish them with the list of every witness they intend to rely on.

He said, “The written testimonies of all witnesses and all the documents must be provided. Any procedure contrary to this invalidates the entire procedure.’’

The lawyer also hinted at the application pending before the court seeking variation of bail for 3rd, 4th and 10th defendants respectively in line with Section 396 of ACJA.

He informed the court that they had been able to perfect the bail conditions for seven out of the 10 defendants.

He therefore prayed the court to vary the bail terms for the remaining three defendants in the interest of justice.

Lawyer to the 4th defendant, Anthony Itedjere, aligned with Mr Marshal’s argument

But Mr Lough disagreed with them.

The senior lawyer argued that there was no specific mode on how an application for amendment of charge can be moved.

On the service of the proof of evidence, he said investigation is a continued process until judgment is delivered.

He argued that the ACJA made provision for additional proof of evidence and would be served on the parties involved in the case.

He said there was no provision in the ACJA that regulates criminal proceedings to include other defendants who are at large in the charge.

Justice Nwite after listening to submissions of the parties gave the prosecution go-ahead to read the amended charge to the defendants for them to take their plea.

He also urged the defence counsel to raise their objections if there were any defects at the appropriate time.

The matter was adjourned until October 4 for ruling on the bail variation for 3rd, 4th and 10th defendants and fixed November 11 for trial.

Operatives of the Adamawa State Police Command have arrested a man for allegedly impersonating a police officer and extorting money from the public.

The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Shafiu Abdulkadir, a resident of Anguwan Yelwa in Yola North Local Government Area, was apprehended on Thursday.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, on Friday.

Nguroje said it was discovered that Abdulkadir had been extorting money from tricycle operators in areas around the Aliyu Mustapha Flyover and Jimeta Modern Market in Yola North LG.

“The arrest was a follow-up to the information regarding the activities of some vigilante men going around threatening and extorting Keke NAPEP riders.

“Upon his arrest, the suspect was found wearing police camouflage trousers and a black shirt with the inscription ‘Special Force’ and boots,” Nguroje said.

The police spokesman further noted that the suspect will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

An explosion tore through a service station in Russia’s Caucasus republic of Dagestan Friday, killing at least 10 people and wounding 11 others, the emergency situations ministry said.

Two children were among the dead, the ministry added on social media network Telegram.

The initial ministry statement had put the toll at five dead and three wounded without giving a cause for the blast.

“The station’s building is destroyed,” it posted on Telegram.

“The technical area and the cafeteria are burning over a surface of 500 square metres.”

The ministry update said the fire had been brought under control but not yet extinguished.

Almost 120 rescuers were working at the scene south of Dagestan’s capital Makhachkala, it added.

In August 2023, an explosion followed by a fire at a service station in a Makhachkala suburb killed 37 people and injured 119.

Such accidents are frequent in Russia where violations of safety standards and ageing facilities often cause them.

The Lagos State Taskforce has arrested four men who were allegedly involved in illegal drug trading.

This is confirmed in the official X handle of agency on Friday.

The agency identified the suspects as Michael Lawal, 35; Adeniyi Oludare, 18; Alex Loba, 24; and Gaffar Adenekan, 34.

It said that the suspects were arrested on Friday at the Mushin area of the state.

“Today, officials of the Lagos State Taskforce apprehended four suspects involved in trading in illicit substances at Ojunrin axis in Mushin.

“The suspects were all caught red handed,” it stated.

According to the agency, the suspects have been charged to court accordingly.

The taskforce stated that its Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, had warned residents to desist from trading in narcotics or face prosecution.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olarenwaju Ishola, has issued a stern warning to intending protesters against unlawful acts during the planned protest.

He gave the warning during a town hall meeting with stakeholders and security agencies organised by the Lagos Police Command on Friday in Ikeja, Lagos.

Some groups of people are said to be planning a nationwide protest slated for October 1 over challenges being faced in the country.

Ishola assured Lagos residents of police presence to maintain safety and order during planned protests.

“We are not stopping anybody from protesting, it is your legitimate

Right. We will protect all so that miscreants do not hijack it, ” he said.

The police boss said that the command would live up to its mandate of ensuring that no group or individual would be allowed to create chaos or destroy property in the state.

Ishola, however, said the proposed October 1 protest would be restricted to only one location in Lagos State.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of the Department of State Service in Lagos State, Dapo Amao, said that it is the right of citizens to protest or express their displeasure against government but it must be done in a civilised way.

He said that there is a need to prevent the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums, who are prepared to breach law and order and cause destruction in the state.

“We will collaborate with other security agencies to ensure lives and property are secured. We will provide enabling environment for businesses to thrive and make sure that things do not get out of hand,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed seven executive directors for the Nigerian Television Authority.

This was announced in a State House release issued by the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, titled, “President Tinubu appoints seven Executive Directors for NTA.”

The statement noted that Tinubu reappointed Ayo Adewuyi as the Executive Director, News.

Others include:

Ibrahim Aliyu — Executive Director, Special Duties – Legal Practitioner.
Muhammed Mustapha — Executive Director, Administration and Training.
Mrs Apinke Effiong — Executive Director, Finance. He is an expert in financial marketing with treasury, management accounting and reporting skills.
Mrs Tari Taylaur — Executive Director, Programme. The appointee is an audio/visual creator, producer and showrunner.
Mr Sadique Omeiza — Executive Director, Engineering
Mrs Oluwakemi Fashina — Executive Director, Marketing. She is an integrated marketing communications professional and chartered marketer.

A magistrates’ court in Benue State on Friday ordered that two men, Seaugh Ayande and Terna Agyo, be remanded at the correctional centre in Makurdi for alleged cultism and assault on a police officer.

The duo, who live at Gboko Road, Makurdi, were charged with criminal conspiracy, cultism, armed robbery, terrorism, obstruction, assault on a police officer, and causing grievous hurt.

However, the magistrate, J.O. Ayia, did not take their pleas for want of jurisdiction.

Ms Ayia adjourned the matter until October 31 for further mention.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Isaac Ogwuche told the court that one James Kange had reported the matter at the ‘E’ Division Police Station, Makurdi, on August 24.

The prosecutor alleged that some men, numbering about 25, carrying assorted candles, matches and dangerous weapons, entered his compound, where the burial of his younger brother, Ahangbha, was taking place, beat up the mourners and chased them away.

He claimed that the hoodlums also set five houses ablaze, leading to the death of 27 goats, while they took two live goats away, which were all valued at N1.4 million.

Mr Ogwuche alleged that the houses destroyed were all valued at N20 million, and his maize farm, valued at N120,000, was also destroyed.

The prosecutor said three of the attackers were arrested at the scene of the crime and had been charged to court in August.

Mr Ogwuche, however, said that the current defendants, who had been at large, were arrested on September 13 at Airport Market, Makurdi, where they still attacked a team of police detectives.

He alleged that the defendants, alongside 38 others, hit Insp. Aondowase Agbo, with a burnt brick on his forehead, instantly fell unconscious and was rushed to Air Force Hospital for treatment.

The prosecutor said their offences contravened sections 6 (b), 1 (2) (a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004 and Sections 174, 268 and 248 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.

Besides, he said the offence also contravened Sections 4, 11 and 16 of the Abduction, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue, 2017.

Famous veteran actors, Madam Saje and Kanayo O Kanayo will receive ‘Lifetime Achievement’ awards at the 2024 Best of Nollywood, BON, Awards.

Founder of BON Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, announced the honours in a statement on Friday.

“Why must we wait till our movie heroes are dead to give them awards? Posthumous awards are good, but it’s better the recipient receives the awards while alive.

“Actress Fausat Balogun known as Madam Saje and Kanayo are people we grew up watching. They inspired the generation we watch now, and still maintained their stand in the industry. That’s why we chose them as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winners.”

The award would be presented to the actors at the Sugar Factory Film Studios in Ilorin, Kwara State on November 24.

Other actors who have won the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ awards include Toyin Adegbola, Madam Kofo and Adebayo Salami.

British supermodel, Naomi Campbell, has been banned from being a United Kingdom charity trustee.

Naomi was banned for five years after a UK watchdog found charity funds were spent on luxury spa treatments and hotels.

The UK Charity Commission, which registers and regulates charities in England and Wales, said following a three-year investigation into the financial activities, “only 8.5% of the charity’s overall expenditure went on charitable grants in a six-year period from 2016”.

The commission in a statement revealed that part of the charity funds was used to pay Campbell’s stay at luxurious hotels, spa treatment and cigarettes.

Reacting to the inquiry in an interview with AP, Campbell said, “I have just found out about the findings today. And I am extremely concerned.

“I wasn’t in control of my charity, I put the control in the hands of a legal employer.”

The Enugu State Government has launched a full-scale investigation into the activities of Oriokpa Masquerade groups, vowing to hold perpetrators accountable.

Two persons were reported to have died earlier in the week following the excessive activities of Oriokpa masqueraders at the University Town of Nsukka in the Nsukka Local Government Area of the state.

The state Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Okey Ogbodo, confirmed this in a statement made available to journalists in Enugu on Friday, highlighting the government’s commitment to maintaining public safety.

Following the development, he announced that the state government had summoned traditional rulers and the Presidents-General of the affected communities to address the issue.

According to the statement, affected communities include Nguru, Isiakpu, Echara, Nru, Edem-Ezema, Iheagu, Ihe, Owere, and Umuoyo.

Ogbodo said these areas have witnessed pandemonium, bodily harm, and fatalities due to the masqueraders’ actions.

He disclosed that Governor Peter Mbah has directed the Commissioner of Police to investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice.

The government has also warned that it will not tolerate further excesses from any group or individual, emphasizing its commitment to protecting citizens’ rights and security.

The statement partly read, “Consequently, and following the express directive of His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, the traditional rulers and Presidents-General of the town unions of the affected communities are hereby invited to meet with the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, at the State Secretariat on Friday, September 27, 2024. Venue is the Office of the Honourable Commissioner, and time is 1 pm prompt.

“The affected communities are Nguru, Isiakpu, Echara, Nru, Edem-Ezema, Iheagu, Ihe, Owere, and Umuoyo.

“Furthermore, the governor has equally directed the Commissioner of Police to immediately institute a full-scale investigation into the incidents, including the reported fatalities resulting from the activities of the said masquerade groups with a view to bringing whoever is culpable to book.”

While commiserating with families of those said to have lost their lives in circumstances connected with the activities of the masquerades, the government also warned that it would not condone any further excesses by any persons or groups.

“Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government frowns at the excesses by whatever any persons or groups. Our people should never be made to live in fear, as the rights and security of our women, children, youth, and indeed every citizen and resident of Enugu State must be guaranteed at all times.

“Consequently, any such excesses by the Oriokpa masqueraders or any group for that matter will be met with the commensurate sanctions by the government,” the statement concluded.

A man was put to death by lethal injection Thursday in the US state of Oklahoma, officials said, and Alabama carried out an execution with nitrogen gas, the second time such a method has been used in the United States.

The two killings bring the total number of executions this year in the United States to 18, including five in the past week.

Emmanuel Littlejohn, 52, was executed by lethal injection in Oklahoma for the murder of 31-year-old Kenneth Meers during a convenience store robbery in 1992.

While admitting he was present at the scene, he has always denied being the one who shot Meers.

Both he and his accomplice Glenn Bethany blamed each other for the killing.

The two men were convicted of murder but Bethany received life imprisonment, whereas Littlejohn was sentenced to death.

In August, the State Board of Pardons recommended a commutation of Littlejohn’s sentence, despite opposition from some of the victim’s family.

Speaking on Wednesday to NPR, Littlejohn exhorted Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to intervene.

“Governor, don’t kill me for the heck of it,” Littlejohn said.

Stitt, a Republican who had only exercised his clemency power once, ultimately denied the request.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said Thursday that “justice has been served for the murder of Kenny Meers.”

– Nitrogen gas controversy –

In Alabama, Alan Miller was put to death over a 1999 workplace shooting spree that killed three colleagues: Lee Holdbrooks, Christopher Scott Yancy and Terry Lee Jarvis.

Miller, 59, was executed at the Atmore penitentiary by pumping nitrogen gas into a facemask, causing him to suffocate.

The method was controversially used by Alabama for the first time in January, despite being compared by the United Nations to a form of torture.

Miller struggled against the restraints on the gurney as he suffocated, shaking and trembling for two minutes, local media reported.

His movements were similar to, but reportedly not as violent as, the first time nitrogen hypoxia was used, local media said.

During the previous such execution, 58-year-old Kenneth Smith reportedly thrashed about for several minutes.

State officials later attributed the convulsions to Smith attempting to hold his breath.

The White House, under Democratic President Joe Biden, said it was “deeply troubled” by Alabama’s use of nitrogen in January.

It also drew rebukes from civil liberties groups, the European Union and the UN human rights office.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, had announced in advance that she would not exercise her clemency power for Miller.

A previous attempt to execute Miller by lethal injection in September 2022 was called off at the last minute due to difficulties inserting the intravenous tube and administering the lethal chemicals in the allotted time.

The death penalty has been abolished in 23 of the 50 US states. Six others (Arizona, California, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Tennessee) observe a moratorium on executions by decision of the governor.

Major Hurricane Helene came roaring ashore into Florida in the United States of America, lashing the region with hurricane-force winds and threatening with a potentially “unsurvivable” 20-foot storm surge and flooding rain.

Fox News reports that Helene made landfall around Taylor County, Florida, between Tallahassee and Tampa, with impacts felt hundreds of miles away.

According to the report, at least two deaths were reported in Wheeler County, Georgia, where a mobile home was damaged during one of the many Tornado Warnings.

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.

Power outages have also soared as the center of Helene has moved ashore the coast.

Currently, more than a million were said to be without power in the Sunshine State as wind gusts neared or even exceeded hurricane-force strength.

Significant outages were also reported in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

FOX Weather’s Ian Oliver said the surge quickly submerged streets around St. Pete Beach on Thursday evening, with high tide several hours away.