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 26, 11:55 PM}

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 car was hit by a sign that fell onto it.

"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 26, 10:55 PM}

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

_{Sep 26, 10:17 PM}

Hurricane Helene close to landfall

Category 4 Hurricane Helene is closing in on landfall, which will likely happen within the hour. Winds remain sustained at 140 mph with gusts to 155 mph in the eye wall of this storm.

Helene is producing catastrophic winds that will be spreading onshore in Florida's Big Bend region over the next few hours.

Major flooding is happening as of 10 p.m. ET in the Tampa area, with over six feet of inundation.

"This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation," the National Hurricane Center said in an alert Thursday.

"Persons should not leave their shelters and remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions," the statement concluded.

_{Sep 26, 10:17 PM}

Nearly 700,000 without power in Florida

As of 10 p.m. ET, nearly 700,000 customers have lost power in Florida as Hurricane Helene nears landfall, according to poweroutage.us .

Tens of thousands more are without power in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

_{Sep 26, 9:55 PM}

Hurricane Helene winds increase to 140 mph

Hurricane Helene has grown stronger as it nears landfall, with sustained winds of 140 mph.

As of 9 p.m. ET, the hurricane was 65 miles west of Cedar Key, Florida, and 90 miles south of Tallahassee.

The hurricane is moving at 24 mph and is still on track to make landfall between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET.

_{Sep 26, 9:33 PM}

Extreme wind warning issued for Tallahassee area

The National Weather Service issued an extreme wind warning for three cities in the Tallahassee area on Thursday night.

The warning is in effect until midnight in Perry, Madison and Monticello.

"Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to an interior room or shelter NOW!" the agency said.

_{Sep 26, 9:13 PM}

Hurricane Helene in photos

As Florida is bracing for Hurricane Helene to make landfall, heavy rain and winds are battering Florida's Gulf Coast.

_{Sep 26, 9:57 PM}

More than 500,000 customers without power in Florida

Over 500,000 customers have lost power across Florida in the run up to Hurricane Helene making landfall.

As of 9 p.m. ET, 545,587 customers did not have power usage, according to poweroutage.us .

Helene is expected to make landfall between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET in Florida's northeast Gulf Coast region.

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