Hurricane Helene strengthened into a Category 4 storm ahead of its expected landfall on Florida’s northwest coast Thursday night as forecasters warned that the

Glenn and Donna Ardrey, who have been staying at a Vero Beach hotel since Sunday, were among the visitors who decided to wait out the hurricane on the Treasure Coast. The retired couple from Pennsylvania planned to tour Florida on the hunt for a condo to buy.

Hurricane Helene strengthened into a Category 4 storm ahead of its expected landfall on Florida’s northwest coast on Thursday night as forecasters warned that the enormous system could create a “nightmare” storm surge and bring dangerous winds and rain across much of the southeastern US.

Hurricane Helene has strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it races toward northwest Florida and causes flooding on the Gulf Coast and power outages inland.

It’s already battering the state’s west coast with tropical storm-force winds and has caused hundreds of thousands of power outages.

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The Treasure Coast is under a marginal risk for increased tornado threats and a slight risk of severe weather Thursday as indirect effects from Hurricane Helene, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Hurricane Center Tuesday evening issued a tropical storm warning for the Treasure Coast, including Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

As Hurricane Helene builds up strength in the Gulf of Mexico, the Treasure Coast is feeling some light effects this morning, including tropical storm-force winds and heavy rainfall. Most of Florida’s east central coast from Daytona Beach to Hobe Sound is under a tornado watch until 8 p.