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

Hurricane Helene is strengthening as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico toward a forecast Thursday evening or early Friday morning landfall over Florida's Big Bend Coast and is "expected to bring catastrophic winds and storm surge to the northeastern Gulf Coast," the National Hurricane Center said early Thursday. "Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," the center urged.