In a special update from the National Hurricane Center, Helene made landfall just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River.

Pinellas County residents in mandatory evacuation zones must leave by 12 p.m. on Thursday, officials announced.

Access to the barrier islands in Pinellas County will be shut off at about 6 p.m., according to county officials.

For the latest on the storm, see USA TODAY's updates for Friday, Sept. 27. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. − Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night carrying catastrophic 140 mph winds as the ...

Outside Barry Medlock’s home on 53rd Avenue North in unincorporated Pinellas County, a faint odor of sewage lingered.

Pinellas County offices and Pinellas Parks closed tomorrow because of Helene. All County parks and offices will be closed ...

ALLIGATOR POINT, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 25: People evacuate as Hurricane Helene approaches on September 25, 2024 on Alligator ...

Hurricane Helene strengthened into a Category 4 storm hours ahead of its expected landfall on Florida’s northwest coast ...

Hurricane Helene picked up strength in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday with the National Hurricane Center warning the system ...

Hurricane Helene has made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm. It is the strongest hurricane on record to slam into Florida’s Big Bend. You can track Helene’s path with CNN’s storm tracker. • A ...

Hurricane Helene is expected to strengthen to a Category 4 storm ahead of landfall Thursday along Florida's Big Bend coast.