**Hurricane Helene Upgraded to Category 4: State of Emergency Declared Across Southeastern U.S.**

As Hurricane Helene barrels towards Florida’s Gulf Coast, a state of emergency has been declared across much of the southeastern United States. The storm has officially been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds reaching 130 mph and a dangerous storm surge expected to hit up to 20 feet.

**Landfall Imminent in Big Bend Region**

Hurricane Helene is forecasted to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region around 11 p.m. EST tonight. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference urging residents who have not yet evacuated to do so immediately, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. He warned that hurricane-force winds could extend up to 50 miles from the eye of the storm, posing a serious threat to life and property.

**Widespread Preparations and Evacuations**

The governor warned residents they would likely lose power and that intercoastal bridges across the state were being closed to traffic. ( Image: NOAA/GOES/AFP via Getty Images)

In anticipation of the storm, intercoastal bridges across the state have been closed, and Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency earlier in the week. Following suit, governors of North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia have also declared emergencies. President Joe Biden has authorized a state of emergency for Alabama.

The National Hurricane Center described Helene as unusually large, with impacts expected beyond Florida. Heavy rain began to fall near the Florida-Georgia state line earlier this evening, with over a dozen Georgia counties facing wind gusts of up to 110 mph.

**Power Outages and Service Disruptions**

As of 7:30 p.m. local time, more than 340,000 homes and businesses in Florida were without power, according to poweroutage.us. Airports in the affected areas, including Tampa, Clearwater, and Tallahassee, have halted operations, with Orlando International Airport reporting 65 cancellations on Thursday.

**Tornado Warnings and Preparations in Georgia**

As of 5 p.m. EST the storm was located about 175 miles south of Tallahassee, Florida with sustaned winds of 125 mph, according to the NWS. ( Image: Getty Images)

Tornado warnings have been issued for much of Florida and southeastern Georgia, expected to remain in effect until early Friday morning. Meanwhile, Atlanta, normally bustling during rush hour, has seen a drastic reduction in traffic as residents prepare for the impending storm.

Authorities are emphasizing that the leading cause of death from hurricanes is not wind but water. Craig Fugate, former director of FEMA, cautioned residents about the life-threatening storm surge expected along Florida’s west coast, which poses a significant risk as Hurricane Helene approaches.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow evacuation orders to ensure their safety as the storm approaches. .Vuong.