Nearly 6,000 Manatee County homes have been affected by power outages as Hurricane Helene churns through the Gulf of Mexico. As of Thursday afternoon, Florida Power and Light reported outages for 2,950 customers, with the number likely to increase as the powerful Category 3 storm continues to move north toward Florida’s Big Bend area.

Forecasters say the storm could cause flash flooding, downed trees and other serious threats as it passes through Manatee County on Thursday. Submit your photos or videos using this Google Form and tell us about the storm impacts you’re seeing in your area, such as flooding, closed roads and building damage.

Manatee County residents prepare on Wednesday and Thursday as Hurricane Helene approaches. President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday visited the Siachen base camp and paid tributes to fallen soldiers.