**Hurricane Helene Ravages Florida and Georgia, Leaving Six Dead and Millions Without Power**

Hurricane Helene stormed into Florida's Big Bend as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday, severely impacting the region before making its way towards North Carolina and the Tennessee Valley. The fierce storm caused extensive damage, including power outages affecting over two million homes and businesses and resulting in the deaths of six individuals across Florida and Georgia.

The hurricane made its initial landfall at approximately 11:10 p.m. EDT near Perry, a city in the Big Bend area of Florida. As it moved through Florida and into Georgia, it left a trail of destruction. The intense winds and heavy rains claimed the lives of at least six people, with Florida and North Carolina each reporting one fatality, and four deaths occurring in Georgia, as reported by ABC News.

In addition to the tragic loss of life, millions of residents are grappling with widespread power outages. The severe weather conditions prompted a flash flood emergency in Atlanta, where dramatic rescue operations were captured and shared on social media, illustrating the perilous situation faced by many.

Anticipating the hurricane's impact, Tampa International Airport closed its doors to the public at 2 a.m. EDT on Thursday. Officials have announced plans to resume services when conditions are deemed safe, potentially by Friday.

Helene marks the eighth named storm of the current Atlantic hurricane season. This follows closely on the heels of Hurricane Francine, which struck Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane on September 11. Despite initial predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicating a historically busy storm season, with expectations of up to 25 named storms and 13 hurricanes, the activity has not reached the anticipated levels so far.