The first 24 hours after Hurricane Helene passed Charlotte County have kept first responders extremely busy.
County leaders say between 7 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday, they received nearly 300 calls. The fire department responded to 26 calls for fires, of which 12 were actively burning.
"Caused by water intrusion that was sparking electrical fires," said Brian Gleason, communications director for Charlotte County.
There were dozens of high water rescue operations as well. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Punta Gorda Fire Department and Police Department, Charlotte County Public Safety, Englewood Fire Department, North Port Police and even DeSoto County fire crews responded to help.
Together, more than 200 people were rescued.