As of the 8 a.m. advisory, Hurricane Helene has become a Category 2 storm with 100 mph winds, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The destructive eye of Hurricane Helene is now sucking up the warm water of the Gulf and taking aim at Northern Florida with a life-threatening landfall expected later Thursday.
The National Hurricane Center said that the storm would bring “life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and flooding rains” as it heads toward the Big Bend.
This exceptionally large storm could bring strong winds up to 400 miles from its center, making the traditional forecast cone less reliable.
Nearly all of Florida, including areas outside the cone, should brace for strong to damaging wind gusts, according to Governor Ron DeSantis.
"Power outages are likely to be widespread."
The most destructive winds are expected along the Interstate 10 corridor, with gusts potentially exceeding 100 mph.
This could bring significant structural damage in the state's capital, Tallahassee.