Hurricane Helene struck Florida's Big Bend coast on Thursday night as a formidable Category 4 storm, bringing with it winds reaching 140 mph and hazardous storm surges.
The storm caused widespread power outages, leaving over a million residents without electricity as it approached. Flooding was reported along the coast, particularly from Fort Myers to Clearwater, with unprecedented surge levels noted in the Tampa area, where predictions had indicated surges could reach up to 20 feet.
Officials had been issuing warnings for days, advising residents to follow evacuation orders and take the storm seriously. A state of emergency was declared across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
As Helene moves inland, it is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds, potentially leading to flash flooding all the way to the Appalachian Mountains.
**Latest Updates on Hurricane Helene**
Hurricane Helene made landfall at 11:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, impacting Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm. As of Friday morning, over a million customers in Florida were without power, and this number could rise as the storm progresses.
Flooding has been extensive along Florida's Gulf Coast, with record storm surges reported, including water levels nearly nine feet above normal in Cedar Key.
As the storm advances, it may bring damaging winds to parts of Georgia and the Carolinas. The National Hurricane Center has indicated that residents should prepare for prolonged power outages. Flash flooding warnings are in effect for areas in north central Georgia, including the Greater Atlanta region, until 5:30 a.m.
Warnings also highlight the potential for severe flash flooding and landslides in the Southern Appalachian region through Friday.
**Tornado Threat in the Carolinas**
The National Weather Service has cautioned that the risk of tornadoes associated with Helene will persist overnight in the eastern Carolinas.
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