A four-year-old girl and a 58-year-old man died in a head-on road collision in Charlotte, North Carolina, during “heavy rains” spawned by Hurricane Helene ahead of it making landfall on Thursday, authorities said.

The Catawba County wreck happened on along Boggs Road near Hunsucker Drive at approximately 8.10am, according to State Highway Patrol Trooper Christopher Casey said.

Two other children, a two-year-old and a 12-year-old, were hospitalized and left with “life-threatening injuries,” authorities said.

The National Hurricane Center has urged Georgia residents in the path of Helene to “not leave their shelters” due to “life-threatening” conditions across the state.

“Helene continues to produce hurricane force winds that are moving further into Georgia,” the NHC said in its latest statement.

“This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Persons should not leave their shelters and remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions.

“When in the eye, people are reminded to not venture out in the relative calm, as hazardous winds will increase very quickly when the center passes.”

At least three people have been killed as Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Thursday evening, with more deaths expected to follow.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed that at least one was person was killed in the Tampa area after a traffic sign fell on a vehicle, he said in a late night news conference on Thursday.

A further two people were killed in Wheeler County, Georgia after their trailer was picked up by the tornado and dragged across Highway 19 before landing in a field, according to Wheeler County Emergency Management Agency Director Steve Adams.

Two people have died after a tornado broke out in Wheeler County, Georgia, officials confirmed late on Thursday evening.

An unnamed male and female were killed after their trailer was picked up by the tornado and dragged across Highway 19 before landing in a field, according to Wheeler County Emergency Management Agency Director Steve Adams.

Two vehicles were also hit by the trailer, although is not clear whether more injuries were sustained.

The tornado was from the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp took to X to lament the loss of the two deceased early on Friday morning.

“Marty, the girls, and I are saddened to learn of the loss of two lives in Wheeler County this evening,” he wrote.

“As we join their families in mourning their deaths, we urge all Georgians to brace for further impact from Helene, remain vigilant, and pray for all those affected.”

Over 12 million people, from Florida and Georgia to Alabama and South Carolina, fall under a high-risk area where heavy rainfall is expected to cause disruption and flooding.

“Catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding from Helene is likely for parts of the Southeast and southern Appalachians,” the National Weather Service said.

“Most flood fatalities occur in vehicles, turn around don’t drown!”

The areas at greatest risk include portions of North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle.

Major cities such as Asheville, Charlotte, and Greenville are at risk of receiving 6 to 12 inches of rainfall, with isolated areas potentially seeing up to 20 inches.

Hurricane Helene is believed to be one of the worst storms to strike the US.

Helene’s size is massive compared to previous hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Officials warned of “catastrophic” and “unsurvivable” conditions ahead of the storm’s arrival.

The storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane and it is expected to continue packing hurricane-force winds as it moves inland.

Helene quickly intensified from a category one storm into a catastrophic category four hurricane, something that has been frequently happening in recent years as ocean temperatures remain hotter than usual.

“Helene is moving over very warm waters that are at least 80 degrees reaching depths of 300 to 400 feet below the surface. That heat energy is going to help Helene explode in intensity this afternoon and evening,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said on Thursday before the landfall.

Storms are now 25 per cent more likely than they were 40 years ago to be classified as a major hurricane as hot waters fuel the storms.

Hurricane Helene is now moving north into the state of Georgia after making landfall in Florida, forecasters say.

The eyewall – the part of the storm that has the fastest winds below it – is now entering southern Georgia, the National Hurricane Center said in its 1am ET (6am BST) update.

The storm began to slightly weaken, the NHC said in its update, but it was expected to remain a hurricane.

“Please do not leave your shelter and remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions,” the update said.

It said Helene “continues to produce catastrophic winds”.