Hurricane Helene weakened to a tropical storm over Georgia Friday morning after making landfall in northwest Florida as a Category 4 storm with a “nightmare” storm surge. 

The tropical storm was centered 80 miles east-northeast of Atlanta by Friday morning, moving north at 30 mph with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. 

At least five deaths have been reported in four states as floodwaters trapped people and left more than 3 million customers without power across the southeastern U.S.

Catastrophic flooding remains a big threat for the region. Areas from northern Georgia into the southern Appalachians are expected to get the worst of it Friday. Flash flood warnings were also issued in parts of Tennessee. 

Helene impacts in Georgia

Helene caused at least three deaths in Georgia and prompted the first-ever Flash Flood Emergency for downtown Atlanta, FOX Weather reports. 

At least two people were killed in Wheeler County, Georgia, after a mobile home was damaged during a tornado. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, a third death in Georgia is also being investigated after reports of a vehicle that crashed into a tree in Colquitt County.

More flooding is expected in northern Georgia Friday. 

Hurricane Helene landfall

Hurricane Helene made landfall at 11:10 p.m. Eastern time Thursday night about 10 miles west-southwest of Perry, Florida. That’s in the state’s sparsely populated Big Bend region, about 20 miles northwest of where Hurricane Idalia came ashore last year at nearly the same ferocity and caused widespread damage. 

Helene struck as a Category 4 with sustained winds of 140 mph. 

Flooding along Florida’s coast began well before Hurricane Helene made landfall, with rapidly rising waters reported from as far south as Fort Myers on the state’s Gulf Coast.

Evacuation orders remained in effect Friday morning across parts of several Florida counties due to storm surge and flooding.

Hurricane Helene in Tampa, St. Petersburg

At least one person was killed in the Tampa, Florida, area after a crash on Interstate 4 that involved a highway sign on top of a vehicle.

Tidal gauges in the Tampa Bay area reached record high levels as Helene came ashore. 

Hundreds of people were rescued from floodwaters in coastal areas of Tampa Bay, FOX 13 in Tampa reports. 

Residents of nearby St. Petersburg said they’ve never seen flooding like this. 

Helene hits North Carolina

Evacuations were underway Friday morning in areas of Western North Carolina. The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office west of Asheville said it was helping with evacuations in in Cruso, Clyde, Canton and lower-lying parts of Waynesville.

At least one death has been reported. In Charlotte, North Carolina, firefighters say a tree fell onto a home, trapping two people inside. One of the victims was taken to a local hospital, and the second victim was found dead inside the home.

At least seven Flash Flood Emergencies were also issued in western North Carolina from Asheville to the Charlotte area.

Helene in South Carolina

One death has been reported in the storm so far in South Carolina. A tree fell on a house Friday morning in Anderson, the Anderson County Coroner’s Office said.

Other storms to watch

Meanwhile, Hurricane John weakened again into a tropical storm Thursday evening after strengthening back to a Category 1 hurricane earlier the same day. The so-called “zombie storm,” a storm that weakens and then strengthens again after returning to warm waters, brought flooding and landslides to Mexico’s southwest coast. 

Forecasters said Tropical Storm Isaac strengthened on Friday into a hurricane in the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean and could cause dangerous waves in parts of Bermuda.

Hurricane Helene is making its way through Georgia after making landfall late Thursday night in Florida’s panhandle.

Helene will likely move in as a Category 1 storm in southern counties of the Channel 2 Action News viewing area and bring strong Tropical Storm conditions as it moves into metro Atlanta. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm.

Areas across the metro are experiencing flooding from non-stop rain.

Here is a minute-by-minute look at what’s happening:

2:26 p.m.

Peak gusts are continuing to nose upward around metro Atlanta & east as we track Helene moving northward. Gusts are now into the 30-35 mph range in parts of the area.

2:09 a.m.

Helene has been downgraded to a Category 1 storm with winds up to 90 mph.

1:53 a.m.

A woman had to be rescued from her Griffin home after the roof collapsed on her house along Hammon Drive. She was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

1:45 a.m.

Wind gusts are now starting to pick up around metro Atlanta.

1:16 a.m.

Tree down across Oxbo Road in Roswell.

This is how Thursday night unfolded.

Hyundai’s $7.6 billion EV plant in Georgia gained its 18th supplier as the automaker builds an extensive US supply chain. The plant, slated to open as early as next month, will produce US-made Hyundai electric vehicles, starting with its updated 2025 IONIQ 5.

Hyundai’s Georgia EV plant attracts its 18th supplier

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that Shinsung Petrochemical will invest $11.2 million in a new manufacturing facility in Toombs County.

Shinsung, a leading auto sealant company, will be a key supplier for Hyundai’s new Metaplant in Bryan County.

“We are excited that Shinsung is joining that growing network of suppliers locating in rural communities,” Kemp said. The new facility, scheduled to open in 2025, will be the first in Toombs County, creating over 30 new jobs.

The company is the 18th supplier to invest in Hyundai’s new Georgia EV plant. Hyundai is investing $7.6 billion to develop the facility, directly creating 8,500 jobs in the state.

Another $5 billion EV battery plant with SK On is being built in Bartow County, GA, creating an additional 3,500 positions.

EVs are creating jobs and attracting investments in GA

Since 2018, Georgia has attracted over $28 billion in investments to build electric vehicles, batteries, and other clean energy initiatives. The funding has already attracted over 36,000 new jobs.

According to a recent Center for Automotive Research study, Hyundai’s plant will create more than 58,200 new jobs while attracting over $12.6 billion in investments in Georgia.

Hyundai will open the new facility as early as October. The first model to roll off the assembly line will be the updated 2025 IONIQ 5, which will have more range, a sleek new design, and a Tesla NACS charging port. Hyundai will also launch its first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, which will also be built at the facility.

Although initially, vehicles built at the facility will only be eligible for a partial $3,750 tax credit, Hyundai expects its US-made EVs to qualify for the full $7,500 once the battery unit comes online.

Hyundai’s 2025 IONIQ 5 gained a new XRT variant for those looking to “play in the dirt and have all-electric adventures.”

The rugged trim adds “XRT-exclusive” front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and other aggressive design elements.

After topping Ford and GM in US electric vehicle sales in the second quarter, Hyundai Motor (including Kia) looks to establish its position for the future. According to Motor Intelligence, Hyundai and Kia accounted for 10% of US electric vehicle sales in Q2, outpacing Ford (7.4%) and GM (6.3%).

With US production and advanced new EVs on the way, Hyundai wants an even bigger share of the market.

Source: Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution