Helene's forecast cone is narrowing, but the impacts are far-reaching. The storm could carry a tropical storm-strength wind field stretching 400 miles wide. Therefore, impacts will be felt hundreds of miles from the center.

Here’s what areas forecasters say will see storm surge on Florida’s west coast — some parts may have up to 15 feet of surge.

By Rich McKay, Brendan O'Brien and Andrew Hay (Reuters) -Driving rain flooded roadways and closed down airports in Florida as an intensifying Hurricane Helene marched toward the state's Panhandle region,

A storm barreling towards Florida’s Gulf coast is now expected to be a catastrophic category 4 strength hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center, making it one of the most powerful storms to hit the US this year.

Forecasters are warning that huge Hurricane Helene will intensify in the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall in Florida.

As Hurricane Helene approaches Florida, several other states are warning residents about the expected impact related to the storm's path. After gaining the attention of meteorologists last week, Helene formed as a tropical storm on Tuesday morning and is expected to make landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on Thursday.

Hurricane Helene was strengthening as it moved toward a forecast Thursday evening or early Friday morning landfall over Florida's Big Bend Coast and was expected to bring "catastrophic winds and storm surge" along with it.