Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene has been upgraded to a Category 3 storm and is projected to make landfall in Florida's Big Bend region between 7 and 10 p.m. tonight, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. If it strengthens to 130 mph, it will become a powerful Category 4 hurricane. The National Hurricane Center has also issued warnings of a potential storm surge up to 20 feet, along with catastrophic urban flooding and deadly flash floods. Residents in low-lying areas are urged to evacuate and follow local emergency response guidelines. Helene is expected to bring strong hurricane-force gusts that will impact Northern Florida, Southern and Northern Georgia, and extend into the Carolinas.