Weakened Helene moves over Kentucky after deadly storm surge: forecast

The Southeast continues to grapple with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which brought fierce winds and historic flooding that killed at least 39 people.

Helene, which weakened to a post-tropical cyclone on Friday, made landfall near Perry, Florida, late Thursday with winds of 140 miles per hour. The system was the first known Category 4 storm to hit the Big Bend region of Florida since records began in 1851.

The system will continue to weaken as it meanders across western Kentucky on Saturday, possibly near the Tennessee border, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Bob Smerbeck. General wind gusts of 20-25 mph are expected, with gusts of 30-35 mph possible. Light winds and rain will move across the central Appalachians through Sunday.