Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida’s Big Bend area late Thursday night as a powerful Category 4 storm but weakened to a tropical system early Friday morning over Georgia. 

The latest data from NHC shows Helen was about 100 miles southeast of Atlanta and moving north at 30 mph. Winds are still in excess of 70 mph, just four mph below Category 1 status. 

“Catastrophic, life-threatening, record-breaking flash & urban flooding. As Helene continues moving inland, damaging wind gusts will continue, particularly over high terrain southern Appalachians,” NHC warned. 

The weather agency noted, “In particular the inland wind hazards of Helene are highlighted by the new experimental cone. A widespread area of Tropical Storm Warnings are still in effect for North Florida, most of Georgia, all of South Carolina, and Western North Carolina.”

According to NHC, Helene made landfall just miles from Perry, Florida, in the late overnight hours, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. The storm churned northwards across Florida into Georgia, killing three people and leaving two million plus without power across several states.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters overnight that 3,500 National Guardsmen are on standby, prepared to respond to emergencies across the Big Bend region. 

Data from the flight tracking website FlightAware shows widespread flight disruptions in the southeastern part of the US. 

NASA’s International Space Station flew over the massive storm on Thursday evening. 

The International Space Station flew over Hurricane Helene at 2:25 p.m. EDT Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, as it approached the Gulf Coast of Florida packing winds in excess of 120 miles an hour. pic.twitter.com/J1iU0Iztpx

— International Space Station (@Space_Station) September 26, 2024

Georgia, North/ South Carolinas, and as far north as Virginia have already declared a state of emergency, as models show the storm’s future trajectory is through the Appalachian region. 

This area badly needs rain.

Here’s our reporting on the storm:

Gov. DeSantis Declares State Of Emergency Ahead Of Dangerous Hurricane Threat

Tropic Trouble Brewing In Gulf Of Mexico Could “Slingshot” Towards Offshore Oil Rigs

“Something Brewing In Gulf Of Mexico” As Confidence Grows In Cyclone Formation Next Week

Ports Preparing For Hurricane Helene As Storm Bears Down On Florida

“High-End Cat. 3” Hurricane Helene Forecast To Hit Florida’s Big Bend

Hurricane Helene Becomes ‘Nightmare’ Storm With ‘Unsurvivable’ Storm Surge Ahead Of Florida Landfall

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