As monster storms like Helene approach the U.S., meteorologists use five categories to help signal the life-or-death consequences for residents in the path. This scale – officially known as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale – is a rating based on maximum sustained wind speed,

Ahead of Hurricane Helene's landfall, forecasters are predicting it will hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane. Here's what that means

LATEST: Hurricane Helene has traveled north from Florida to Georgia and was about 100 miles from Augusta and 40 miles from Macon moving at about 30 mph, the hurricane center in Miami said in a 4 a.m.

Hurricane Helene has eased to a Category 1 storm, but still poses a huge threat across 12 states. NBC News' Jay Gray reports from Tallahassee, Florida, where residents dodged a direct hit.

The plane flew into the eye of the hurricane to gather data and release a second uncrewed aircraft system for research purposes.