In Clearwater, one of the hardest-hit regions, water levels surged to a record 8.6 feet, eclipsing the previous high of 6.8 feet. Similarly, in East Bay, levels peaked at 7.3 feet, surpassing the old record of 6.7 feet.

Forecasters warned the enormous system could create a “nightmare” storm surge and bring dangerous winds and rain across much of the southeast.

Helene weakened into a tropical storm early Friday morning in Georgia after lashing Florida's Big Bend with catastrophic storm surge and heavy rainfall and winds, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.