GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – The overnight destruction of Hurricane Helene has shown its ugly teeth with Friday’s sunrise.

Trees and downed powerlines as far as the eye can see are shrouded around the City of Gainesville.

Heavy shrubbery covers the sidewalks near the road. Courtesy: Joseph Jackimczuk/352today
Tree limbs and leaves pile up next to the road. Courtesy: Joseph Jackimczuk/352today

“It’s utter devastation,” says Gainesville resident Chloe Ferrer. “I haven’t seen destruction this bad since Hurricane Irma back in 2017.”

One house witnessed a near miss as an uprooted tree fell and clipped a power pole. The pole then collapsed into the owner’s back yard, knocking down the power lines attached to it.

Downed powerline on NW 23rd Avenue has closed off a portion of the road. Courtesy: Joseph Jackimczuk/352today
A downed power pole lies just above the ground of a backyard. Courtesy: Joseph Jackimczuk/352today

Large trees lie across roadways, blocking off outlets for residents living in the neighborhood.

Road completely blocked off by fallen tree on NW 16th Blvd. Courtesy: Joseph Jackimczuk/352today

Gainesville Regions Utilities (GRU) workers are scattered around the city, with tens of thousands still without power.

“It’s chaos,” one worker said, “right now, it’s just a process of piecing everything back together.”

The latest, and reportedly last, hurricane update by the City of Gainesville urges residents to stay inside of their homes and remain off the roads as emergency responders continue to clean up the mess.