Millions were without power across the southeastern U.S. as Florida reeled from Hurricane Helene, which pummeled parts of the state overnight, knocking out power lines and washing away houses.

Hurricane Helene intensified into a major Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph making landfall Thursday night bringing devastating winds and storm surge to Florida’s Big Bend, according to the

Helene is more then 400 miles across and is one of the largest hurricanes ever to hit the coast of Gulf of Mexico

Hurricane Helene, a massive, destructive Category 4 hurricane causing catastrophic storm surge, made landfall late Thursday night. More than 1.2 million homes and businesses are without power.

Record-setting storm surge and damage from high winds have caused significant damage across Florida’s Gulf Coast, from Tampa Bay northward.

Helene roared ashore in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, trapping residents in floodwaters, peeling siding off buildings, knocking out power to millions.

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