Hurricane Helene Tracker: Forecast Models Indicate Path Toward Florida Panhandle, Prompting State of Emergency and Evacuations

 The forecast indicates that the storm is expected to reach the Gulf Coast of Florida late Thursday.

Hurricane Helene intensified into a hurricane on Wednesday, with forecasters warning that it could reach Category 3 status before making landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast late Thursday.

The National Hurricane Center cautioned that the storm is likely to bring "life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall" to much of Florida and the Southeast.

A state of emergency has already been declared in Florida, and evacuations are in progress for residents in low-lying areas. Those in the storm's projected path are advised to prepare for possible power outages lasting up to a week.

"It's a significant storm," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated during a press briefing on Wednesday. "Many people will lose power... so be ready for that."

Where is the storm currently located, and what is its projected path?

According to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Helene has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and is located about 85 miles east-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico, and 500 miles south-southwest of Tampa, Florida. It is currently moving north-northwest at 10 mph.

The storm is expected to rapidly intensify and make landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane, with winds exceeding 111 mph.

"Damaging hurricane-force winds are anticipated along parts of the Florida Big Bend coast, where a Hurricane Warning is now in effect," the hurricane center stated. "Preparations to protect life and property should be completed by early Thursday.

In addition to strong winds, the storm poses a threat to millions along the Gulf Coast with up to 12 inches of rainfall and the possibility of tornadoes. Before moving into the Gulf of Mexico, Helene is expected to bring heavy rain to parts of the western Caribbean, potentially causing mudslides and flooding in western Cuba. The system also threatens inland flooding across several U.S. states.

"Considerable flash and urban flooding is anticipated in parts of Florida, the Southeast, southern Appalachians, and the Tennessee Valley from Wednesday through Friday," warned the National Hurricane Center.

The weather service also cautioned about the risk of life-threatening storm surge along the entire Florida peninsula.