However, much of Florida, including the Tampa Bay region, continued to be under a storm surge warning early Friday morning. That means officials continued to project potentially life-threatening flooding. The worst of the storm is now headed for Georgia.

Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida as a Category 4 colossus with winds of up to 140 mph. Winds and torrential rain are expected to continue Friday.

In a special update from the National Hurricane Center, Helene made landfall just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River. This is about 10 miles west-southwest of Perry, Florida. Based on data from Air Force reconnaissance aircraft, the maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 140 mph.