With all she had, Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida’s coast late Thursday night, dumping heavy rain, forcing water rescues, and leaving millions without power.
Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane about 11:10 p.m. ET near Perry, Florida, with 140 mph winds, the National Hurricane Center reported.
The storm, which now marks the first known Category 4 storm to hit Florida’s Big Bend region since records began in 1851, maintained hurricane strength as it moved inland across northern Florida and into Georgia where it downgraded to a tropical storm about 5 a.m. ET.
Early Friday, the storm was racing north over Macon, Georgia, into southeast Atlanta at about 30 mph.
As of 9 a.m. ET Friday more than 3.8 million outages had been reported across the state, USA TODAY’s power outage tracker showed.
Helene live updates: Helene tearing through Georgia; water rescues underway; 4 dead
‘Devastation’ in Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg
In Tampa Bay, one resident described seeing vanished beaches, boats crashed into homes, and businesses on fire.
“Complete devastation and loss here,” Vikki Hudson, who lives in Largo, about three miles from the coast told USA TODAY Friday. “The beaches are gone. Everything is underwater. Boats piled on top of houses and yards.”
Hudson said she saw Gulf Boulevard, which runs the St. Petersburg coastline north to Clearwater, “completely underwater.”
The view of 39th Avenue South in St. Petersburg, Florida on Sept. 27, 2024 after Hurricane Helene hit.
Hudson, who lives about 20 minutes from her two businesses at Treasure Island Beach − The Island Girl Tiki Bar and The Island Girl Beach Rentals − said she has not been able to check on her business as bridges are closed due to widespread flooding.
“We don’t know anything yet, we can not get to any of the barrier islands,” Hudson said.
Photos and social media footage showed boats overcome with water, downed utility poles, and more damage along Florida’s Gulf coast.
See damage left by Hurricane Helene in Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples
Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach sees flooding for a second time as the outer bands of Hurricane Helene pass by on Fort Myers Beach, Fla. on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach sees flooding for a second time as the outer bands of Hurricane Helene pass by on Fort Myers Beach, Fla. on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
High sea waters along a Coquina Key home in St. Petersburg, Florida on Sept. 27, 2024.
Two people on a bike and cars travel down Vanderbilt Drive in Naples as Hurricane Helene passes off the coast on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. Storm surge coupled with an incoming tide caused flooding along several roadways.
Law enforcement officials gather on Estero Boulevard with a boat as Hurricane Helene passes by on Fort Myers Beach, Fla. on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. Estero Island was flooded by by the hurricane.
Flooding fills the parking lot at The Fish House Restaurant in Bonita Springs as Hurricane Helene passes off the coast on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. The flooding is due to storm surge and an incoming tide.
Estero Boulevard is flooded as Hurricane Helene passes by on Fort Myers Beach, Fla. on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach sees flooding for a second time as the outer bands of Hurricane Helene pass by on Fort Myers Beach, Fla. on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
Two men brave the winds and heavy surf to try and secure a boat along the seawall in Cocoa Lee Wenner Park Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Alexander Blaudow talks on the phone while walking down the area of 1800 Copeland St. and 2200 St. Johns Ave. during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Riverside, Jacksonville, Fla.
Rough wind and waves hit the beach at Fort Pierce Jetty Park as feeder bands from Hurricane Helene affect the Treasure Coast on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Fort Pierce.
A car is seen on a deserted street as it rains heavily before Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Tallahassee, Florida, on September 26, 2024.
Donald Draughon and his wife Vicki wait for the arrival of Hurricane Helene at Lincoln High School, which was opened as a shelter in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S., September 26, 2024.
Hurricane Helene 5 a.m. Sept. 27, 2024.
This story has been updated with new photos and videos.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
