Florida brought in $161.8 million more than anticipated in general-revenue tax collections in October, according to a report from the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research. The state collected $3.45 billion in general revenue in October, topping expectations by 4.9%. September sales activity, which accounts for October collections, was likely affected by Hurricane Helene, which made landfall Sept. 27 near Perry, after causing a state of emergency to be issued in 61 counties across the state. State officials said the preparatory stage of a hurricane typically causes an uptick in sales tax revenues as the demand for hurricane-related supplies increases, as well as evacuee-boosted lodging activity in less affected areas. Sales tax collections came in at $2.79 billion, about $100 million more than the state’s projection, while corporate income taxes checked in at $34.8 million more than forecasted.