Helene strengthened into a hurricane Wednesday, and forecasters warned that the storm would intensify as it crosses the Gulf of Mexico on a path to Florida. The storm had already prompted residents to evacuate, schools to close and officials to declare emergencies in Florida and Georgia.
The hurricane was about 430 miles (690 kilometers) southwest of Tampa, Florida, and had sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Forecasters said it is expected to become a major hurricane with its center making landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida’s northwestern coast as soon as late Thursday.
The center has issued hurricane warnings for part of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Florida’s northwestern coastline, where large storm surges of up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) were expected.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm John is expected to strengthen into a hurricane again, threatening areas of Mexico’s western coast anew.
