### Hurricane Helene Devastates Southeast with Historic Force

Hurricane Helene, noted for its unusual size and rapid intensification, has become one of the most expansive and damaging hurricanes on record for the Southeastern United States. By Friday morning, at least 17 fatalities had been reported due to the massive storm, according to the Associated Press (AP).

Nearly 1 million customers in Florida were left without power, with an additional 3 million residents affected across Georgia and the Carolinas, as reported by poweroutage.us. Helene made history as the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida, boasting maximum sustained winds of 140 mph.

Forecasts indicate that Helene, now downgraded to a tropical storm, will continue to merge with another storm system over the Southern United States. Although its winds are expected to weaken as it moves into north Georgia, hurricane-force wind gusts remain a significant threat in this area and the southern Appalachians.

Helene's transformation was unprecedented; starting as a Category 1 hurricane on Thursday morning and escalating to a Category 4 within just 12 hours. This rapid intensification aligns with a broader trend influenced by climate change, which has been linked to an increase in the frequency and intensity of such powerful storms in the Atlantic Basin.

The damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene spans at least five states, with further impacts anticipated as the weekend progresses. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.