Helene has been downgraded to a tropical storm after making landfall as a Category 4 storm near Perry, Fla., just after 11 p.m. Thursday.

During the overnight, as it moved inland, it weakened and is now a tropical storm with maximum winds of 45 mph.

Helene formed in the northwestern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday, Sept. 24. It's the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season and the fifth hurricane. It is the second major (Category 3+) hurricane of the season.

What You Need To Know

  • Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday evening near Perry, FL

  • It made landfall with winds of 140 mph

  • Helene will continue moving inland bringing rain and wind to the southeast

Helene maintained its Category 4 strength at landfall with winds of 140 mph. Landfall happened at 11:10 p.m. Thursday near Perry, along Florida's Big Bend. Helene is a large storm and impacts were felt throughout the entire state of Florida and southeast. 

As it moves inland, the wind and rain will continue to impact the southeast. 

The risk of life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds will be on-going throughout this morning along portions of the Gulf Coast, especially the Florida Panhandle and Florida's west coast.

Water was reported over roadways around the Tampa region on Thursday.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for South Carolina and North Carolina but has been discontinued for Florida and Georgia. 

Helene was at time a large storm, with hurricane-force winds extending outwards of 60 miles from the center at one point. The tropical storm-force winds extended over 300 miles from the center. 

Here's a look at the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far.

More Storm Season Resources

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