Damage assessments and rescue operations are underway as the brunt of the storm hit the state’s Big Bend, also the landing site for Hurricane Idalia just over a year ago.

Hurricane Helene is projected to have a storm surge that could go as high as 20 feet. Here's what to know about storm surges and damage they cause.

One person has died in Florida and there have been two confirmed deaths in Georgia, after Hurricane Helene slammed into the U.S. southeastern coast overnight. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said a driver was killed when debris struck their car and warned that other deaths could come to light in the morning.