
KEY POINTS
- It is expected to slam into the state's Big Bend region late Thursday as a 'major hurricane'
- Several states have declared emergencies ahead of the storm
- There is a danger of catastrophic and unsurvivable storm surge
Fast-moving Hurricane Helene strengthened to a Category 2 story and is expected to hit northwest Florida as a "major hurricane" late Thursday, bringing a deadly storm surge of about 20 feet, destructive winds and heavy rainfall that will cause extensive flooding for hundreds of miles inland.