Hurricane Helene Slams Into Florida Coast As A Category 4

Hurricane Helene will bring hurricane conditions throughout the Southeast. (Credit: National Hurricane Center)

Hurricane Helene packed a powerful punch as it slammed into Florida's Big Bend section, rapidly intensifying into a Category 4 storm before making landfall Thursday night.

Helene brought winds in excess of 140 mph and storm surge estimated up to 20 feet in Apalachee Bay, a swampy area near where the eye wall was set to come ashore, according to the National Hurricane Center.