Strongest Hurricane on Record to Slam Into Florida’s Big Bend Since 1851

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Monster storm Helene made landfall Thursday evening as a deadly category-four hurricane in the big bend area of Florida bringing with her maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and record-breaking storm surges to the state.

According to preliminary storm surge information, water levels reached more than 15 feet in areas within the big bend region of Florida, following Helene’s landfall.

Videos on social and international news outlets showcasing communities and even bridges underwater.

So far, dozens of organizations from throughout the U.S. have been deployed to the southeast to assist with rescue efforts. 

As the system moved up the coast of Florida and into Georgia and the Carolinas on Friday morning, it had been downgraded to a tropical storm. 

The State Department of Transportation in North Carolina closed 290 roads with the intention of shutting down even more roadways as severe flooding, landslides and washed-out roads pose serious threats to public safety.

At least 25 deaths have been reported across four states in the U.S. as of mid-Friday afternoon.

More than four million homes and businesses were without power this morning in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.