Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida late Friday night, tearing through the region as one of the most powerful storms to hit the U.S. in recent history. The Category 4 hurricane, which brought wind speeds of up to 140 mph, has already caused at least one confirmed fatality and widespread destruction. As the storm progressed into Georgia, more deaths were feared, and authorities continued to brace for further devastation.
By early Friday, the hurricane had left over 2 million customers across the Southeast without power, with severe flooding reported in several areas. The storm surge, expected to push seawater as much as 20 feet inland, along with torrential rain, continues to pose a severe threat. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Helene is now tied as the 14th most powerful hurricane to strike the U.S. since records began and is the seventh strongest to hit Florida.
As Helene weakened to 75 mph while moving north toward Georgia and the Carolinas, authorities warned that it would still take hours before rescue teams could begin operations in the hardest-hit areas.
The automotive industry, particularly in Florida, has also been impacted. Several dealerships closed in anticipation of the hurricane. Victory Layne Chevrolet in Fort Myers and Capital Eurocars in Tallahassee, including BMW and Porsche showrooms, shut down midday on September 26. Larger auto retailers such as CarMax temporarily closed seven locations across Florida and Alabama while monitoring ten additional sites for potential closures. CarMax COO Joe Wilson emphasized that the safety of associates and customers was their top priority.
Morgan Auto Group, based in Tampa, also took precautionary measures, closing its Sun Toyota and Toyota of Tampa Bay dealerships. Other Tampa-based locations under the group, including Audi Tampa, Porsche Tampa, and Volkswagen of North Tampa, shuttered by noon. However, not all regions were heavily impacted—Volkswagen of Naples remained open, as it lay on the outer edges of the storm’s path.
As Helene continues its northward journey, dealerships and businesses across the Southeast remain on alert, adjusting operations to ensure the safety of employees and customers alike.
