Helenes death toll surpasses 40 as the storm wreaks havoc in the South [Video]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Gray News) – Dozens of storm-related deaths have been reported as Helene works its way through the South after making landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm Thursday night.

The hurricane center said Helene roared ashore around 11:10 p.m. Thursday near the mouth of the Aucilla River in the Big Bend area of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It had maximum sustained winds estimated at 140 mph.

According to the Associated Press, at least 40 deaths have been reported throughout four states impacted by Helene: Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

There have been at least eight reported deaths in Florida, according to CNN.

WCTV reported Gov. Ron DeSantis reported the death of one Floridian in a press conference just after 11 p.m. Thursday.

DeSantis said the person died in Tampa when a sign crashed on their car on the highway.

“When Floridians wake up tomorrow morning, we’re going to be waking up to a state where very likely there’s been additional loss of life and certainly there’s …