Hurricane Helene live updates: Category 4 storm makes landfall in Florida's Big Bend

Helene -- which has strengthened to a major Category 4 hurricane -- is taking aim at Florida, where it's forecast to make landfall along the Big Bend area on Thursday night.

Latest Developments

_{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.

_{Sep 26, 9:58 PM}

Hurricane Helene nearing Florida's northeast Gulf Coast

Hurricane Helene's landfall is expected in the next few hours -- likely between 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. -- as a major Category 4 in Florida's Big Bend region.

As of 8 p.m. ET, hurricane-force gusts extend outward 60 miles from the center of the storm and tropical storm-force gusts extend outward 310 miles from the center.

Some additional strengthening is possible before the center reaches Florida's coast on Thursday.

Although weakening is expected after Helene moves inland, the storm is moving fast and it is powerful. Damaging wind gusts will penetrate well inland across the Southeastern states.

Ahead of Helene's landfall, there was a 76 mph gust reported in St. Pete.

_{Sep 26, 9:59 PM}

Latest forecast and maps as Category 4 Hurricane Helene nears landfall

Hurricane Helene is headed toward Florida's Big Bend region as a dangerous Category 4 storm.

As of 7 p.m. ET, Helene carried maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

A Weatherflow station at Egmont Channel near the entrance of Tampa Bay recently reported sustained winds of 54 mph and a wind gust of 71 mph.

Tropical storm conditions are approaching the coastline of Florida's Big Bend.

A Weatherflow station at St. George Island recently reported a wind gust of 46 mph.

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