The winds might have died down as Hurricane Helene dwindles, but dangerous storm surge and flooding rivers in Florida are still a concern.

Helene was one of the most powerful storms to hit Florida’s Big Bend in a lifetime, and damages across the region are mounting from the water and wind.

The hurricane’s storm surge could be devastating in the coastal areas of Florida’s Big Bend, where the peninsula meets the panhandle.

Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane about 11:10 p.m. ET near Perry, Florida, with 140 mph winds, the National Hurricane Center reported. The storm, which now marks the

Helene roared ashore Florida's Big Bend region as one of the most powerful storms to hit the United States, with officials fearing the hurricane would leave a trail of deaths and widespread destruction as it moved inland.

Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida as a Category 4 colossus with winds of up to 140 mph. Winds and torrential rain are expected to continue Friday.

Helene came ashore amid warnings from the National Hurricane Center that the enormous system could create a “nightmare” storm surge. There were at least four storm-related deaths. Hurricane John once again weakened into a tropical storm Thursday evening as the slow-moving storm crept along the coast of the Mexican state of Michoacan,