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Hurricane Helene live updates: 6 dead in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina; 2 million without power
Helene is slamming Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas with torrential rain.
Helene -- which weakened to a tropical storm on Friday morning over Georgia -- made landfall as a massive Category 4 hurricane, slamming into the Big Bend region of Florida on Thursday night with 140 mph winds.
The monster storm churned across Florida into Georgia, leaving at least three people dead and millions without power across the Southeast. Significant flooding was reported across the region, with more rain expected Friday as Helene moves toward Tennessee.
Latest headlines:
Hurricane Helene begins move toward southeastern Georgia
Hurricane Helene remains a Category 4 storm as it heads inland over the Florida Panhandle, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The hurricane is moving toward southeastern Georgia and remains dangerous and life-threatening, per the NHC.
A tide gauge from the National Ocean Service in Cedar Key, Florida, is reporting that the water level is 8.68 feet above mean higher high water.
Power is now out for more than 1.1 million customers in Florida, while Georgia is dealing with 92,974 outages.
-ABC News' Richard Von Ohlen and Jolie Lash
Gov. DeSantis confirms 1st death in Florida as Hurricane Helene makes landfall
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference late Thursday night that there has been one fatality as Hurricane Helene's dangerous conditions bombard the state.
The death occurred on the I-4 highway near Tampa when a sign fell on a car.
"It just shows you that there are very dangerous conditions out there," DeSantis said.
DeSantis warned Floridians that there may be additional loss of life and property Thursday night and into Friday morning.
"When we wake up in the morning, chances are there will be more fatalities," DeSantis said.
Authorities announced that there are already reports of downed power lines and flooded roadways. Many major bridges have been closed, and most bridges in Tampa Bay have been closed, the governor said.
Steinhatchee may be experiencing clear skies due to being in the eye of the hurricane, Florida Emergency Management Executive Kevin Guthrie said. He warned those within the eye to remain indoors and continue to shelter in place.
A priority in the coming hours will be to restore power, the governor said. Meals, bottled water, Starlink services and fuel will be made available to those in need and will be standing by.
DeSantis said another press conference will be scheduled for the morning.
-ABC News' Victoria Arancio
Over 1 million now without power in Florida
Just after Hurricane Helene made landfall over Florida, the number of customers without power crossed the 1 million mark.
Outages extended into neighboring Southern states with over 46,000 customers without power in Georgia and over 12,400 customers without power in North Carolina, according to powerouttages.us.
Virginia and South Carolina are facing power outages as well with over 7,200 and over 5,500 customers without power in each state respectively.
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.