Hurricane Helene live updates: 1 dead in Florida as Category 4 storm makes landfall

Helene -- which has strengthened to a major Category 4 hurricane -- made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on Thursday with 140 mph winds.

Latest Developments

_{Sep 27, 2:22 AM}

Helene downgraded to Category 1

Hurricane Helene was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane in the early hours of Friday having moved around 100 miles inland into Florida and Georgia.

Its sustained winds dropped to 90 mph, with further weakening expected through to 5 a.m. ET.

Helene is maintaining speed at around 26 mph, heading north-northeast through central Georgia.

Macon, Atlanta, and Augusta are expected to experience damaging winds and torrential rain over the next two to three hours.

"Life-threatening storm surge, winds and heavy rains continue," the National Hurricane Center wrote on X.

-ABC News' Richard Von Ohlen

_{Sep 27, 2:19 AM}

Helene death toll rises to 3

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp confirmed that two people were killed during Hurricane Helene's passage into Georgia overnight, bringing the storm's total death toll to three.

Kemp said he and his family were "saddened to learn of the loss of two lives in Wheeler County this evening. As we join their families in mourning their deaths, we urge all Georgians to brace for further impact from Helene, remain vigilant and pray for all those affected."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference late Thursday that one person was killed on the I-4 highway near Tampa when a sign fell on a car.

-ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway

_{Sep 27, 1:57 AM}

200,000 lose power in Georgia

More than 200,000 people were without power in Georgia as Hurricane Helene pushed inland in the early hours of Friday morning, according to poweroutages.us .

The website said 244,657 Georgians were without power. More than 1.2 million people in Florida were also disconnected.

-ABC News’ David Brennan

_{Sep 27, 1:33 AM}

People told to 'remain in place' as Category 2 Helene moves into southern Georgia

The National Hurricane Center has warned residents to "remain in place" as Hurricane Helene moves into southern Georgia as a Category 2 storm.

NHC advises people not to step outside when the calm of the eye is over them, as winds will increase after Helene passes.

Helene made landfall in Perry, Florida, as a Category 4, with 140 mph winds, but the speed of its maximum sustained winds has dropped to 110 mph.

The hurricane is moving across land at 26 mph.

Meanwhile, more than 200,000 customers are without power in Georgia, according to poweroutage.us .

-ABC News' Richard Von Ohlen

_{Sep 27, 1:14 AM}

Wind gusts in Perry, Florida, clock in at 99 mph

Hurricane Helene has brought strong wind gusts across Florida's West Coast.

Perry, where Helene made landfall, recorded wind gusts of 99 mph.

Sarasota-Bradenton Airport in Sarasota reported gusts of 74 mph.

Tampa International Airport saw 68 mph winds

St. Petersburg reported wind gusts of 82 mph.

Clearwater Beach recorded 75 mph winds.

A maritime station in Cedar Key recorded wind gusts of 84 mph, while Egmont Channel noted 81 mph.

_{Sep 27, 12:25 AM}

Hurricane Helene begins move toward southeastern Georgia

Hurricane Helene remains a Category 4 storm as it heads inland over the Florida Panhandle, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The hurricane is moving toward southeastern Georgia and remains dangerous and life-threatening, per the NHC.

A tide gauge from the National Ocean Service in Cedar Key, Florida, is reporting that the water level is 8.68 feet above mean higher high water.

Power is now out for more than 1.1 million customers in Florida, while Georgia is dealing with 92,974 outages.

-ABC News' Richard Von Ohlen and Jolie Lash

_{Sep 27, 12:28 AM}

Gov. DeSantis confirms 1st death in Florida as Hurricane Helene makes landfall

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference late Thursday night that there has been one fatality as Hurricane Helene's dangerous conditions bombard the state.

The death occurred on the I-4 highway near Tampa when a sign fell on a car.

"It just shows you that there are very dangerous conditions out there," DeSantis said.

DeSantis warned Floridians that there may be additional loss of life and property Thursday night and into Friday morning.

"When we wake up in the morning, chances are there will be more fatalities," DeSantis said.

Authorities announced that there are already reports of downed power lines and flooded roadways. Many major bridges have been closed, and most bridges in Tampa Bay have been closed, the governor said.

Steinhatchee may be experiencing clear skies due to being in the eye of the hurricane, Florida Emergency Management Executive Kevin Guthrie said. He warned those within the eye to remain indoors and continue to shelter in place.

A priority in the coming hours will be to restore power, the governor said. Meals, bottled water, Starlink services and fuel will be made available to those in need and will be standing by.

DeSantis said another press conference will be scheduled for the morning.

-ABC News' Victoria Arancio

_{Sep 27, 12:00 AM}

Over 1 million now without power in Florida

Just after Hurricane Helene made landfall over Florida, the number of customers without power crossed the 1 million mark.

Outages extended into neighboring Southern states with over 46,000 customers without power in Georgia and over 12,400 customers without power in North Carolina, according to powerouttages.us .

Virginia and South Carolina are facing power outages as well with over 7,200 and over 5,500 customers without power in each state respectively.

_{Sep 26, 11:37 PM}

Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Florida, nearly 1 million without power

Hurricane Helene has officially made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida as a major Category 4 storm with 140 mph winds.

The storm touched down near Perry, Florida, just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River.

This marks the first Category 4 hurricane to make landfall in Florida's Big Bend Region since at least 1859.

There are over 970,000 customers without power in Florida, according to poweroutages.us .

_{Sep 27, 1:37 AM}

More than 800,000 customers without power in Florida

The number of people losing power in Florida Thursday night is rising rapidly as Hurricane Helene approaches landfall.

As of 11 p.m. ET, more than 800,000 customers were without power in Florida, according to poweroutages.us.

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