Hurricane Helene strengthened into a Category 4 storm hours ahead of its expected landfall on Florida’s northwest coast Thursday night.

Forecasters saying the storm threatens to bring a ‘catastrophic’ storm surge as well as tornadoes, winds, rains and flash floods.

Fast-moving Hurricane Helene was nearing Florida's western coast Thursday, threatening a “catastrophic” storm surge in northwestern parts of the state as well as damaging winds, rains and flash floods hundreds of miles inland across much of the southeastern U.S., forecasters said. The storm was upgraded to an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm Thursday. Landfall was expected by the evening. It knocked out power to over 500,000 homes and businesses as it approached.States of emergency were declared in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia and Alabama.In the Pacific, former Hurricane John strengthened Thursday morning back into a hurricane as it threatened areas of Mexico’s western coast with flash flooding and mudslides.Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Isaac formed Wednesday in the Atlantic Ocean and was expected to strengthen as it moves eastward, possibly becoming a hurricane by the end of the week, forecasters said.Follow AP's coverage of tropical weather at https://apnews.com/hub/hurricanes.Here's the latest:Helene's…

Driving rain flooded roadways and closed down airports in Florida as an intensifying Hurricane Helene marched toward the state's panhandle region.

Hurricane Helene: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year because of record-warm ocean temperatures. Helene is forecast to be one of the largest storms in breadth to hit the region in years.

Driving rain flooded roadways and closed down airports in Florida as an intensifying Hurricane Helene marched toward the state's panhandle region.

Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida later today and has been strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane that could bring immense destruction to the state

A powerful hurricane was barreling towards Florida on Thursday, with officials warning of "unsurvivable" conditions and a potentially catastrophic storm surge high enough to swamp a two-story house.

About 125,000 homes and businesses were without power.

Mandatory evacuation orders are in place

A powerful hurricane was barrelling towards Florida, with officials warning of "unsurvivable" conditions and a potentially catastrophic storm surge high enough to swamp a two-story house.

Parts of Florida face "unsurvivable" conditions when Hurricane Helene hits later Thursday, the US weather service said, warning that howling wind will drive destructive waves and storm surge as high as 20 feet (six meters) onto the low-lying coast.

TAMPA, Florida: Driving rain flooded roadways and closed down airports in Florida as an intensifying Hurricane Helene marched toward the state's panhandle region, bringing the threat of a potentially deadly storm surge to much of the coastline. The storm became a major Category 3 hurricane on Thu

Fast-moving Hurricane Helene is advancing across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida, and it's been upgraded to a Category 2 storm.

Hurricane Helene strengthened into a Category 4 storm hours ahead of its expected landfall on Florida's northwest coast Thursday night.

Fast-moving Hurricane Helene was advancing Thursday across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida, threatening an “unsurvivable” storm surge in northwestern parts of the state as well as damaging winds, rains and flash floods hundreds of miles inland across much of the southeastern U.S., forecasters said.

Hurricane Helene threatens Florida with catastrophic storm surge, winds, and flash floods

Officials warns the hurricane is "not a survivable event" for people in coastal and low-lying areas of Florida's Wakulla County, and they should listen to evacuation orders.

Fast-moving Hurricane Helene was advancing Thursday across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida, threatening an “unsurvivable” storm surge in northwestern parts of the state as well as damaging winds, rains and flash floods hundreds of miles inland across much of the southeastern U.S., forecasters said.

Landfall expected sometime Thursday evening

Hurricane Helene is rapidly strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico, with forecasters saying it could reach Category 4 status before it makes landfall. Thousands are under a mandatory evacuation order, with…

“I’m praying for the best,” one resident said, “but I’m expecting the worst.”

Helene has strengthened into a hurricane, and forecasters warn that the storm will intensify as it crosses the Gulf of Mexico on a path to Florida.

Officials have declare emergencies in Florida and Georgia

Tropical storm force winds have begun battering northwestern Florida as Hurricane Helene prepares to make landfall.

Hurricane Helene's impacts could extend well inland to cities like Atlanta and Asheville, North Carolina.

Hurricane Helene's impacts could extend well inland to cities like Atlanta and Asheville, North Carolina.

Hurricane Helene is expected to arrive in Florida on Thursday night

Hurricane Helene has been officially named with the storm strengthening as it heads across the Gulf of Mexico on a path to Florida and Georgia with wind speeds expected to reach 110mph

The hurricane is expected to make landfall in Florida, with over 40 million people in three US states currently under storm warnings.

The storm is forecast to be ‘near hurricane strength’ when it passes near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Forecasters say they expect Tropical Storm Helene in the Caribbean Sea to strengthen rapidly and become a hurricane as it moves north across the Gulf of Mexico toward the United States.

MEXICO CITY: After already battering Mexico's southern coast, a strengthening Tropical Storm John moved back into the Pacific Ocean but is forecast to...

Hurricane Helene rapidly strengthened into a Category 4 storm over the Gulf of Mexico's record-warm waters Thursday and is speeding toward landfall Thursday night to the south-southeast of Tallahassee. Threat level: The large storm is forecast to bring an unprecedented 15-to-20-foot storm surge to Florida's Big Bend area. It will also bring high winds to all of Florida and plow inland with hurricane-force wind gusts likely in north Georgia, potentially including Atlanta. • The National Weather Service is calling the maximum storm surge forecast for the Big Bend region of Florida "catastrophic and unsurvivable." The surge has already begun along the west coast of the state. • Flooding rains are already affecting the southern Appalachians, with rainfall totals around 15 inches expected in western North Carolina. Such rainfall amounts will cause landslides and historic flooding. • Tampa Bay is forecast to see one of its most severe storm surge events on record, with up to 8 feet of surge. The Atlanta metro area…