Helene Could Be A Cat 4 When It Makes Landfall

Hurricane Helene expected to bring catastrophic winds and storm surges to the northeastern gulf coast. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

The Category 1 storm just over 400 miles SW of Tampa.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...

* Indian Pass southward to Flamingo

* Tampa Bay

* Charlotte Harbor

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...

* Anclote River to Mexico Beach

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* Florida Keys, including the Dry Tortugas

* Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

* West of Mexico Beach to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line

* Flamingo northward to Little River Inlet

* Lake Okeechobee

The hurricane is forecast to reach Category-4 status, by the time it makes landfall Thursday night in the Panhandle's Big Bend area.

Top winds could reach between 130 and 159 MPH.

More than 35-hundred National Guard members have been activated to help with recovery.

Anyone in Helene's path can expect life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains.