Helene strengthens to a Category 4 hurricane as it nears Florida’s Gulf Coast

By KATE PAYNE and HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH
Associated Press

Forecasters say Helene has strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane as it races toward northwest Florida.

The enormous storm is expected to make landfall Thursday night. Category 4 hurricanes have sustained winds over 130 mph that can severely damage homes, snap trees and down power lines.

Strong winds have already cut power to over 250,000 homes and businesses in Florida. Authorities warn that storm surges of up to 20 feet could also wreak catastrophic damage.

Helene is also expected to damage large swaths of the southeastern U.S. as it moves inland.

Hurricane warnings and flash flood warnings extend far beyond the coast up into northern Georgia and western North Carolina.