Floridians - especially those living in coastal areas along Helene’s path - have been warned that it will bring an "unsurvivable" storm surge and “life-threatening” weather. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says conditions “are simply going to be too dangerous to navigate“.

Helene is strengthening as it moves toward the U.S. Gulf Coast. It is expected to become a hurricane today and will hit Florida's Big Bend on Thursday.