"Gargantuan" Hurricane Helene could bring "catastrophic and deadly storm surge" to parts of Florida Gulf Coast

Hurricane Helene is strengthening as it moves through the japanese Gulf of Mexico towards a forecast Thursday evening or early Friday early morning landfall above Florida's Big Bend Coast and is "predicted to bring catastrophic winds and storm surge on the northeastern Gulf Coastline," the National Hurricane Heart reported early Thursday. "Preparations to guard everyday living and home need to be rushed to completion," the center urged.

The National Weather Service warned in a post on X that, "A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely alongside parts of your Florida Large Bend coast, the place inundation could arrive at as higher as 20 ft higher than floor level, as well as damaging waves. There is also a danger of existence-threatening storm surge alongside the remainder with the west Coastline of your Florida Peninsula. People in those locations need to observe information given by nearby officials and evacuate if told to do so."