No damage was immediately apparent in state government buildings, including the state Capitol and governor’s mansion.

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.

Tallahassee was spared the worst of a dangerous Category 4 Hurricane Helene that wreaked havoc from Tampa Bay to the Big Bend area Thursday. The storm, packing winds of 140 mph, made landfall some 45 miles southeast of Tallahassee,

Waffle House is closing all of its Tallahassee locations and neighboring Crawfordville location as Hurricane Helene approaches, according to the Southern diner chain. "In areas predicted to be hit hardest hit,

The restaurant chain is keeping its doors open for now in Tallahassee, even as Hurricane Helene approaches. Waffle House executives have been in constant communication Wednesday to determine the status of the city's local diners,

A spokesperson for Waffle House did not say how many restaurants would close in preparation for Hurricane Helene, but many in Tallahassee closed.