Hurricane Helene, which is currently Category 1, formed from an area of low pressure in the Caribbean, having strengthened rapidly over the last few days. The hurricane is expected to be the "strongest hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. this season," possibly hitting Category 3 or 4 strength.

Hurricane Helene is forecast to quickly intensify as it emerges into the Gulf of Mexico, becoming a major hurricane before landfall late Thursday along Florida's Big Bend region, not far from Apalachicola. In anticipation of the storm's impacts, Georgia's governor issued a State of Emergency to free up resources.