Helene lashed the Lowcountry with strong wind, tornadoes as the storm moved north

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – Helene struck Florida’s Big Bend as a powerful category 4 hurricane late Thursday night and moved north into Georgia during the early morning hours.

The size and strength of the storm brought strong winds, heavy rain, and tornadoes to much of South Carolina throughout the night.

Tornado warnings were issued throughout the evening in Charleston, Georgetown, and Colleton Counties as the hurricane’s outer bands reached the coast. But the tornado threat ramped up overnight as the storm moved further inland and closer to South Carolina.

Thousands of people woke up Friday morning without power. Debris from trees littered Lowcountry streets, and flooding from heavy rain and fallen trees caused several road closures.

Charleston County EMS began modified service and suspended travel across the Ravenel Bridge out of safety for its crews.

A vessel drifted into the Highway 41 bridge over the Wando River where a woman was pulled to safety; however, one other person refused to leave the boat despite requests from first responders.

Conditions will improve across the Lowcountry throughout the morning as Helene moves further north. Impacts in South Carolina’s upstate could be extensive.