Helene slams Florida coast with 140 mph winds, 1 million without power

Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Helene, a "catastrophic" and lethal Category 4 hurricane, slammed into the Big Bend area of the Florida coast Friday night, packing 140 mph winds, torrential rain, and the threat of life-threatening damage regionwide, the National Hurricane Center reported.

"This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation," the NHC said. "Persons should not leave their shelters and remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions."

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