Helene's extratropical remnants traversed eastwards across the Atlantic Ocean before dissipating near Great Britain on October 4.

Despite not making landfall on North Carolina, its close proximity to land caused extensive damage across the US East Coast.

Power outages cut most communications from the island to the mainland, and property damage in Sydney, Nova Scotia totaled to C$100,000.

At Helene's landfall in Newfoundland, strong gusts peaking at 82 mph (132 km/h) in Naval Station Argentia were reported, and loss of power severed communications.

The origins of Hurricane Helene can be traced back to an easterly wave that formed near Cape Verde on September 16.

[2] On September 20, ships in the system's vicinity reported widespread shower activity and generally low barometric pressures.

At 0200 UTC later that day, the United States Weather Bureau office in San Juan, Puerto Rico began issuing bulletins on the system for public interests.

[2] At 0000 UTC on September 23, the depression attained tropical storm strength, with maximum winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) and a central minimum pressure of 1,013 mbar (1,013 hPa; 29.9 inHg).

[1] By 0000 UTC on September 26, Helene strengthened to the equivalent of a modern-day Category 2 hurricane, with a minimum pressure of 980 mbar (980 hPa; 29 inHg).

[3] Still moving northwestward due to the influence of the Azores High, the hurricane came within 10 mi (16 km) of the US East Coast before recurving towards the northeast out to sea.

[2] By midday on September 29, Helene had weakened to minimal hurricane strength, and later transitioned into an extratropical cyclone by 1800 UTC that day, though it still maintained hurricane-force winds.

[2] Helene's extratropical remnants continued eastward across the Atlantic, becoming a dominant synoptic feature,[1] before entirely dissipating by 0600 UTC on October 4 just west of Great Britain.

As the storm moved west on September 23, advisories specified for small craft in northern islands of The Bahamas to remain in "protected places."

After Helene was forecast to remain north of the archipelago, notifications were lifted except for small craft along the coast of the South Atlantic States.

Nearing the US East Coast, the Weather Bureau began to issue special bulletins for press radio and television stations early on September 24.

After Helene began recurving away from the coast, all warnings south of Wilmington, North Carolina were discontinued at 2200 UTC on September 27.

Despite not issuing any warnings, the Weather Bureau cautioned interests in Newfoundland, and forecasted hurricane-force winds to effect the island.

[2] Due to the potential impacts from Helene, the Weather Bureau began to advise prompt emergency evacuation in their advisories.

[2] The Southeastern American Red Cross sent ten field staff warnings to locations in Georgia and South Carolina in order to assist in setting up emergency shelters.

[6][7] In Wilmington, North Carolina, 100 members of the United States National Guard were dispatched to monitor waterfront property, while 60 others were kept on standby.

[1] Wind impacts were felt primarily from South Carolina to Virginia,[7] though a frontal zone aided in bringing precipitation as far north as Maine.

[1] Roughly paralleling the North Carolina coast beginning on September 26, Helene's slow movement and strong intensity resulted in moderate to heavy impacts in coastal areas of the state.

[7] Rainfall associated with Helene was primarily concentrated in coastal regions North Carolina, peaking at 8.29 in (211 mm) in Wilmington International Airport.

[14] Elsewhere along the South Carolina coast, beach erosion occurred due to the strong waves, and sections of pier were swept into sea.

[24] As Helene approached Atlantic Canada in the process of transitioning into an extratropical storm, it produced heavy rainfall and strong winds along the region.

[26] The lack of sufficient electricity forced the suspension of publications of the Cape Breton Post and disrupted normal restaurant cooking procedures.

Offshore, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police cutter Fort Walsh, measuring 115 ft (35 m) in length, was washed ashore on the coast of Scatarie Island.

[29] The fishing wharf in Caribou, Nova Scotia was destroyed by rough seas generated by Helene, and at least 1,000 lobster traps were carried into the Northumberland Strait as a result.

[29] Bell Island was cut off from the rest of Newfoundland due to rough seas generated by Helene, which resulted in the destruction of piers and lack of boat service.

President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower designated portions of North Carolina impacted by the storm as a disaster area.