Helene -- which weakened to a Category 1 hurricane on Friday morning -- made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on Thursday with 140 mph winds.
510,000 in Georgia lose power
The number of Georgians disconnected from the electricity grid rose to 510,265 in the early hours of Friday as Hurricane Helene passed into the state from Florida, according to poweroutages.us.
Another 1.3 million people in Florida were without power following Helene’s passage north from the Gulf of Mexico.
-ABC News’ David Brennan
Helene’s center to pass east of Macon, Georgia
The center of Hurricane Helene is projected to pass east of Macon, Georgia, after 3 a.m. ET, according to the latest forecast.
Hurricane warnings and tropical storm warnings remain in effect through the early morning hours of Friday.
The storm is expected to slow and weaken on Friday, turning northwestward to move through Georgia toward the Tennessee-North Carolina border, the National Hurricane Center said.
-ABC News’ Richard Von Ohlen
Helene downgraded to Category 1
Hurricane Helene was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane in the early hours of Friday having moved around 100 miles inland into Florida and Georgia.
Its sustained winds dropped to 90 mph, with further weakening expected through to 5 a.m. ET.
Helene is maintaining speed at around 26 mph, heading north-northeast through central Georgia.
Macon, Atlanta, and Augusta are expected to experience damaging winds and torrential rain over the next two to three hours.
"Life-threatening storm surge, winds and heavy rains continue," the National Hurricane Center wrote on X.
-ABC News' Richard Von Ohlen
Helene death toll rises to 3
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp confirmed that two people were killed during Hurricane Helene's passage into Georgia overnight, bringing the storm's total death toll to three.
Kemp said he and his family were "saddened to learn of the loss of two lives in Wheeler County this evening. As we join their families in mourning their deaths, we urge all Georgians to brace for further impact from Helene, remain vigilant and pray for all those affected."
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference late Thursday that one person was killed on the I-4 highway near Tampa when a sign fell on a car.
-ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway
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