Nearly 10 inches of rain, and 60 mph winds are expected to hit the Upstate by Friday morning. Local energy providers are preparing for quick response.

Power outages throughout the St. Petersburg area are already being restored by Duke Energy crews as Hurricane Helene continues north, the utility provider said Thursday afternoon.Around 42,000 structures have had their power restored as of 5:30 p.

Officials stress to stay away from fallen or sagging powerlines. Anything touching lines could also carry a charge, and pools of standing water could also be energized due to fallen lines in the water.

Everyone should always stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging – and consider all lines energized.

Duke Energy Florida is readying 8,000 workers, and Duke Energy Carolinas said more than 10,000 workers will be prepped and staged before the storm hits.

Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith is urging community members to evacuate. “What I’d recommend is to evacuate, but if they’re deciding they’re going to stay, you make sure they have water and food, they have a generator,

Duke Energy is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Helene – and is encouraging others to do the same. Duke Energy said it's closely monitoring the projected track of Helene, the latest tropical system developing in the Caribbean that's expected to impact North Carolina later this week.