Hurricane Helene kills at least 40 people across four US states

At least 15 people have died in Georgia from causes related to Hurricane Helene, according to a spokesman for Mr Kemp

Destruction to the Faraway Inn Cottages and Motel in Cedar Key, Florida (Stephen Smith/AP)

At least 40 people have been killed in four states after Hurricane Helene left a path of destruction across Florida and the south-eastern US.

Rescue attempts were underway to save people from floodwaters after the Category 4 hurricane made landfall late on Thursday in the sparsely populated Big Bend area of Florida with sustained winds of up to 140mph.