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

Hurricane Helene is strengthening because it moves through the japanese Gulf of Mexico towards a forecast Thursday evening or early Friday morning landfall around Florida's Massive Bend Coastline and is "envisioned to bring catastrophic winds and storm surge towards the northeastern Gulf Coastline," the National Hurricane Middle reported early Thursday. "Preparations to protect lifetime and property must be rushed to completion," the center urged.

The National Weather Service warned in a post on X that, "A catastrophic and fatal storm surge is probably going along portions on the Florida Significant Bend coast, where by inundation could reach as significant as 20 feet earlier mentioned floor level, together with damaging waves. There is certainly also a Threat of everyday living-threatening storm surge along the remainder of your west coast on the Florida Peninsula. People in Individuals parts must follow guidance specified by regional officers and evacuate if advised to take action."