H​urricane Helene Intensifies Before Landfall Tonight

As Hurricane Helene heads toward Florida’s northwest coast, authorities are urging people to brace for heavy rain and strong winds.

Helene is getting stronger and speeding up as it travels over the Gulf of Mexico. It’s expected to make landfall on the Big Bend coast Thursday evening. Hurricane-force winds are blowing up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds are stretching up to 345 miles wide.

Flooding Has Already Begun

Helene could become a powerful Category 4 storm. Tropical storm conditions have already hit the Florida Keys and parts of South Florida. 

Flooding has already begun in places like Naples, Treasure Island, Tampa, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg. North Carolina has also been pelted with rain, with 8 to 12 inches falling in some areas.