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. At least 22 fatalities have been blamed on the hurricane so far, authorities said. Officials feared more fatalities would be discovered on Friday.
The storm, which now marks the first known Category 4 storm to hit Florida’s Big Bend region since records began in 1851, weakened to a tropical storm Friday morning as it barreled through Georgia, causing life-threatening flooding in Atlanta and the Carolinas. By 11 a.m. ET Friday, Helene was located 30 miles southwest of Bryson City, North Carolina and about 105 miles north-northeast of Atlanta with sustained winds of 45 mph.
A car drives along a street covered with debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Steinhatchee, Fla, on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, the day after the storm made landfall in the Big Bend region of the state.
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."
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Outside Perry, Fla., longtime resident Donna Parker, 80, watches as her grandson cuts up a toppled palm tree with a chainsaw, clearing her short driveway, following the passage of Hurricane Helene, on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
Damage and debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Steinhatchee, Fla, on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, the day after the storm made landfall in the Big Bend region of the state.
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.
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"We don’t know anything yet, we can not get to any of the barrier islands," Hudson said.
See damage left by Hurricane Helene in Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples, Perry
A view shows damage from Hurricane Helene in Perry, Florida, U.S., September 27, 2024. REUTERS/Marco Bello
A drone view shows a damaged roof amid damage from Hurricane Helene in Perry, Florida, U.S., September 27, 2024. REUTERS/Marco Bello
A damaged pier is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Steinhatchee, Fla, on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, the day after the storm made landfall in the Big Bend region of the state.
Damage and debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Steinhatchee, Fla, on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, the day after the storm made landfall in the Big Bend region of the state.
The view of 39th Avenue South in St. Petersburg, Florida on Sept. 27, 2024 after Hurricane Helene hit.
A split tree in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida on Sept. 27, 2024 after Hurricane Helene hit Tampa Bay.
Tana Anderson, co-owner of the Crescent Beach Market on Siesta Key in Sarasota, pushes water toward a pump Friday morning, Sept. 27, 2024, as she, her husband and brother start cleaning up after the storm surge from Hurricane Helene.
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.
A downed tree in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida on Sept. 27, 2024 after Hurricane Helene blew through Tampa Bay.
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.
This home in Hudson, Florida, caught fire overnight while Hurricane Helene's storm surge swamped the area.
High sea waters along a Coquina Key home in St. Petersburg, Florida on Sept. 27, 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.
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.
A large oak fell on a home during Tropical Storm Helene in Anderson, S.C. Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
A fallen tree lies on the ground amid damage from Hurricane Helene in Perry, Florida, U.S., September 27, 2024.
Mud lines where water dissapated is shown near a grate during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Riverside, Jacksonville, Fla.
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.
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.
