Hurricane Helene is one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States with wind gust speeds of 140 mph (225 km/h) and heavy rain.

The storm made landfall in Florida overnight on Thursday as a category four hurricane but was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved rapidly more inland.

It was the strongest storm on record to hit Florida's Big Bend, and it moved north into Georgia and the Carolinas.

At least 45 people have died and millions have been left without power.

Insurers and financial institutions say damage caused by the storm could run into the billions of dollars.