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. At least 22 fatalities have been blamed on the hurricane so far, authorities said. Officials feared more fatalities would be discovered on Friday.

Helene​ strengthened into a hurricane as it was leaving the Caribbean Sea on a path​ for the Big Bend area of Florida's Gulf Coast.

Residents in Florida returned to their homes with shock and sadness Friday as they began picking up the pieces from Hurricane Helene's trail of destruction.