Tropical Storm Helene gained strength Wednesday forecast to become a hurricane later in the day as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico where the National Hurricane Center said it will intensify into

Helene is expected to be upgraded to a Category 3 hurricane later on Wednesday before making landfall at Florida’s Gulf Coast on Thursday

"Tropical Storm Helene, now formed, is projected to intensify. As always, Florida will prepare for the worst and hope for the best," he wrote on X. "Stay tuned to local and state emergency recommendations and alerts. Get preparations in place now for the storm and heed evacuation directives, if issued, from local officials."