Sep 26, 2024 · Good Thursday morning West Alabama! It is September 26, 2024.. Hurricane Helene is churning through the Gulf of Mexico, feeding off of historically warm waters, and growing into a monster. Helene is now a Category 2 (winds 96-110mph), is expected to strengthen to a Category 3 (winds 111-129mph) and very probably to a Category 4 (winds130-156) before making a 10:00pm landfall along Florida's ...