Hurricane Helene live updates: Six dead, three million without power

(NEW YORK) — Helene — which weakened to a tropical storm on Friday morning over Georgia — made landfall as a massive Category 4 hurricane, slamming into the Big Bend region of Florida on Thursday night with 140 mph winds.

The monster storm churned across Florida into Georgia, leaving at least three people dead and millions without power across the Southeast. Significant flooding was reported across the region, with more rain expected Friday as Helene moves toward Tennessee.

Here’s how the news is developing:

Video shows deputy rescuing teen from flooded car

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa, Florida, released dramatic video showing the moment one of its deputies rescued a teenage girl who was trapped in her car in rising floodwaters. The deputy lifted her out of her car and drove her to safety.

More than 3 million without power across the South

More than 3 million customers are waking up without power across the South Friday morning in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

More than 1.1 million customers are without power in Florida and another 1.1 million are without power in South Carolina.

More than 1 million lost power in Georgia and another 400,000 are without power in North Carolina.

Flash flood emergency issued in Atlanta

A flash flood emergency has been issued in Atlanta, where 4 to 6 inches of rain has fallen so far.

More than 25 people have been rescued from floodwaters in Atlanta, officials said.

Another 1 or 2 inches is possible, and the rainfall rate is expected to be 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour, the National Weather Service said.

The life-threatening “flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” the NWS warned.

Residents are urged to seek higher ground.

Atlanta Public Schools are closed on Friday.

Flash flood emergencies are also in effect in Asheville, North Carolina, and Clemson, South Carolina.

Helene death toll rises to 6

At least six people have died as Hurricane Helene slams the South.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, one person was killed and another was injured when a tree fell on a house, according to the Mecklenburg EMS Agency.

Two people died in Laurens County in central Georgia, according to local officials. Two others died in nearby Wheeler County, Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp confirmed.

In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that one person was killed on the I-4 highway near Tampa when a sign fell on a car.

-ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway

Mandatory evacuations ordered amid ‘catastrophic rain’ in North Carolina

Mandatory evacuations are in place for some residents of Asheville in western North Carolina as severe flooding from Hurricane Helene hits the state.

Evacuations were ordered for the Swannanoa River Valley area due to a high risk of flooding from the “catastrophic rain,” officials said.

Parts of the state have recorded up to 15 inches of rain, with more expected through Friday. Some areas are expecting as much as 20 inches of rain through the course of the storm. Dangerous landslides are also expected.

Water rescues and flooded homes have been reported in Haywood County, just west of Asheville.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo

Helene death toll rises to 4

At least four people have died as Hurricane Helene slams the South.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, one person was killed and another was injured when a tree fell on a house, according to the Mecklenburg EMS Agency.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said he and his family were “saddened to learn of the loss of two lives in Wheeler County” on Thursday night. “As we join their families in mourning their deaths, we urge all Georgians to brace for further impact from Helene, remain vigilant and pray for all those affected,” he said.

In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that one person was killed on the I-4 highway near Tampa when a sign fell on a car.

-ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway

More than 2 million without power across the South

More than 2 million customers are waking up without power across the South Friday morning in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

More than 1.2 million customers are without power in Florida and over 800,000 are in the dark in Georgia.

More than 500,000 lost power in South Carolina and more than 190,000 are without power in North Carolina.

200 rescued from rising waters in Pasco County, Florida

About 200 people have been rescued overnight from the rising floodwaters in Pasco County, Florida, just north of Tampa, according to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

The water is receding Friday morning and rescue calls have slowed, authorities said.

25 rescued from flooding in Atlanta

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department said it rescued more than 25 people using rafts in a flooded area in the north of the city.

Around 11 people were rescued at the Peachtree Park Apartments building where a creek is overflowing. Rescuers arrived there at around 1:30 a.m.

Some residents were transported out of the area by bus, while others refused to leave. Those evacuated are being taken to shelters.

-ABC News’ Faith Abubey

Helene weakens to tropical storm

Hurricane Helene was downgraded to a tropical storm around 100 miles southeast of Atlanta early on Friday, as its sustained wind speed slowed to 70 mph.

Life-threatening winds, flash flooding, rain and storm surge are ongoing through Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Helene is expected to slow and weaken as it travels north-northwest through Georgia toward the Tennessee-North Carolina border, the National Hurricane Center said.

Helene is projected to turn post-tropical on Friday afternoon or Friday night, the NHC said.

“However, the fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians,” the NHC said.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo

65 people rescued from flooding on Florida highway

Members of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and Pasco County Fire Rescue were working through the night and into the early morning responding to water rescue calls along the US-19 corridor on Florida’s Gulf coast.

As of 3:30 a.m. ET, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office said a total of 65 people were rescued, with additional efforts ongoing.

Emergency services received more than 100 calls for assistance due to flooding, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook.

-ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway

Helene’s center to pass east of Macon, Georgia

The center of Hurricane Helene is projected to pass east of Macon, Georgia, after 3 a.m. ET, according to the latest forecast.

The storm is expected to slow and weaken on Friday, turning northwestward to move through Georgia toward the Tennessee-North Carolina border, the National Hurricane Center said.

-ABC News’ Richard Von Ohlen

Helene downgraded to Category 1

Hurricane Helene was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane in the early hours of Friday having moved around 100 miles inland into Florida and Georgia.

Its sustained winds dropped to 90 mph, with further weakening expected through to 5 a.m. ET.

Helene is maintaining speed at around 26 mph, heading north-northeast through central Georgia.

Macon, Atlanta, and Augusta are expected to experience damaging winds and torrential rain over the next two to three hours.

“Life-threatening storm surge, winds and heavy rains continue,” the National Hurricane Center wrote on X.

-ABC News’ Richard Von Ohlen

People told to ‘remain in place’ as Category 2 Helene moves into southern Georgia

The National Hurricane Center has warned residents to “remain in place” as Hurricane Helene moves into southern Georgia as a Category 2 storm.

NHC advises people not to step outside when the calm of the eye is over them, as winds will increase after Helene passes.

Helene made landfall in Perry, Florida, as a Category 4, with 140 mph winds, but the speed of its maximum sustained winds has dropped to 110 mph.

The hurricane is moving across land at 26 mph.

Meanwhile, more than 200,000 customers are without power in Georgia, according to poweroutage.us.

-ABC News’ Richard Von Ohlen

Wind gusts in Perry, Florida, clock in at 99 mph

Hurricane Helene has brought strong wind gusts across Florida’s West Coast.

Perry, where Helene made landfall, recorded wind gusts of 99 mph.

Sarasota-Bradenton Airport in Sarasota reported gusts of 74 mph.

Tampa International Airport saw 68 mph winds

St. Petersburg reported wind gusts of 82 mph.

Clearwater Beach recorded 75 mph winds.

A maritime station in Cedar Key recorded wind gusts of 84 mph, while Egmont Channel noted 81 mph.

Hurricane Helene is now a Category 4 storm

As Hurricane Helene nears landfall in Florida, the storm has grown to Category 4 strength with 130 mph winds.

Red Cross calls for blood donations ahead of Hurricane Helene

After blood shortages in August, the American Red Cross told ABC News the organization’s blood supply is no longer at emergency levels, but encouraged people in areas unaffected by Hurricane Helene to donate.

Ahead of the storm’s landfall in Florida, the Red Cross sent hundreds of blood products to Florida, and distributed blood products to ensure blood remains available for patients in the affected areas.

“Our immediate concern is the potential interruption of our blood collection efforts in the Southeast due to Hurricane Helene. We anticipate a number of blood drives in the impacted areas to be canceled or otherwise affected in the coming days, disrupting our ability to collect necessary and lifesaving blood products,” a Red Cross spokesperson told ABC News.

“We really need people in unaffected areas to step up and donate blood to help make up for the uncollected donations that will result from Hurricane Helene,” the spokesperson added.

Over 200,000 customers without power in Southern states

As of 5:00 p.m. ET, 205,914 customers are without power in the South with most of the outages in Florida, where Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall Thursday evening.

There are 181,621 customers in Florida without power.

North Carolina power outages rose to 13,223 customers.

And there are over 11,000 customers without power in Georgia.

Harris addresses Hurricane Helene: ‘Take this storm very seriously’

Vice President Kamala Harris began a White House event on gun violence Thursday by first addressing Hurricane Helene, forecast to make landfall in Florida tonight.

“The president and I, of course, are monitoring the case and the situation closely, and we urge everyone who is watching at this very moment to take this storm very seriously and please follow the guidance of the local officials,” Harris said.

Harris said she and President Biden will continue working with state and local officials “to ensure that everyone is safe and to protect communities before, during and after the storm,” Harris said.

Hurricane Helene still on track to become Category 4 storm at landfall

Helene is still expected to be a hazardous Category 4 hurricane when it makes landfall in Florida Thursday between 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET, with winds of at least 130 mph.

Currently a Category 3 hurricane, Helene’s maximum sustained winds have increased to 125mph with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is likely to continue leading up to landfall.

At 5:00 p.m. ET, Helene was located 130 miles west of Tampa and 175 miles south of Tallahassee.

Helene is a very large storm with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm force winds extending outward up to 310 miles from the center.

-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin

Over 173,000 customers without power in Florida

More than 173,000 customers in Florida have lost power so far as Hurricane Helene nears landfall.

At least 1,200 flights canceled

Airlines have canceled at least 1,200 flights across the country as Hurricane Helene moves in.

The airports seeing the biggest impacts are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers and Tampa International Airport.

Tampa International Airport, Tallahassee International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport are all closed on Thursday.

Latest forecast

Hurricane Helene is forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane between 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 pm. Thursday in Florida’s Big Bend region.

Because Helene is a very large hurricane, it will impact nearly all of Florida.

Helene is set to bring catastrophic storm surge up to 20 feet to the Big Bend area. Four to 8 feet of storm surge is expected around Tampa Bay.

The major 110 mph winds will cause widespread tree damage and power outages across the Florida Panhandle and the Big Bend area.

Tornado watches are in effect for most of Florida and parts of Georgia and South Carolina through Thursday night.

By Friday morning, Helene will weaken to a tropical storm as it moves north through Atlanta with heavy rain and strong winds.

Georgia should be prepared for hurricane-force wind gusts to cause damage and power outages.

Rainfall totals from Helene will be 6 to 12 inches, with locally up to 20 inches in some areas.

Catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding, as well as significant landslides, are expected across portions of the southern Appalachians through Friday. There is an extreme flood risk from Tallahassee, Florida, to Atlanta to Asheville, North Carolina.

-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin

All of Georgia will be impacted, governor warns

All counties in Georgia are under a state of emergency as Hurricane Helene nears.

“This is a big storm — it’s going to affect the entire state,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said.

“This storm is one of the biggest we’ve ever seen in the Atlantic in terms of size, covering nearly 500 miles,” he said.

Kemp cautioned about the potential for flash flooding and tornadoes, particularly in areas on the “dirty side” of the storm

“This storm will bring strong winds and a lot of rain. Flooding and even landslides in mountainous areas are a real possibility,” he said.

-ABC News’ Jason Volack

Helene strengthens to major Category 3 hurricane

Helene strengthened to a major Category 3 hurricane with 120mph winds on Thursday afternoon.

Helene could strengthen even more before it makes landfall Thursday night.

‘Take the storm seriously,’ FEMA administrator warns

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is warning everyone in the path of Hurricane Helene to “take the storm seriously.”

“Listen to your local officials. If they tell you to evacuate, please do so. And if they tell you to shelter in place, then that’s what you should do,” she said at a news conference. “They’re going to give you the best information that you can do, for your specific situation. Those decisions can save lives.”

Over 1,100 personnel from the federal government are supporting storm efforts, Criswell said.

“We also have an additional 700 personnel from FEMA that are already in these states, supporting other disasters, that we can quickly pivot to support any of the response needs as needed,” Criswell said. “Some of the resources that we have already deployed include eight search and rescue teams across Florida and Georgia, as well as resources from the Coast Guard, the Department of Defense to immediately support any lifesaving operations as needed.”

-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez

North Carolina flooding could be catastrophic, governor warns

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper described Helene as an unusually dangerous storm that threatens to bring heavy rain and potentially catastrophic flooding to central and western North Carolina on Thursday night and Friday.

Helene is forecast to drop more than 1 foot of rain to parts of western North Carolina, and even cities like Charlotte could see flash flooding despite not being in the storm’s direct path, officials said.

President Joe Biden has approved emergency declarations for states in Helene’s path, including North Carolina.

-ABC News’ Alex Faul

Latest forecast

Helene is forecast to strengthen to a major Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds by 8 p.m. Thursday.

Landfall is expected Thursday night, between 10 p.m. and midnight, southeast of Tallahassee.

After landfall, the fast-moving Helene will push strong winds inland to northern Georgia.

On Friday morning, catastrophic flash flooding is a major threat from northern Georgia to Asheville, North Carolina. That area already saw up to 6 inches of rain over the last 24 hours from a separate storm, and Helene could drop another 10 to 20 inches of rain.

The remnants of Helene will stall over the weekend in the Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. Flooding is possible in Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo

‘Very large’ Hurricane Helene nearing Category 3 winds

Helene is now a Category 2 hurricane with 105 mph winds as it barrels toward the Florida Panhandle.

Category 3 — which is considered a major hurricane — begins when the storm’s winds reach 111 mph.

Helene is forecast make landfall Thursday night, between 10 p.m. and midnight, as a Category 3 hurricane with 120 winds.

Helene is “very large,” so the storm’s rain, wind and storm surge “will extend far away from the center and well outside the forecast cone, particularly on the east side,” the National Hurricane Center warned.

“Comparing the system with previous hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico over the past couple of decades, Helene is at the upper bound in terms of size,” the NHC said.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo

North Florida residents in evacuation zones should leave now: Governor

North Florida residents who are in evacuation zones should leave now, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Thursday morning, since Hurricane Helene’s outer bands are quickly approaching the coast.

Florida’s Division of Emergency Management has partnered with Uber to provide free rides to shelters for Floridians under a state of emergency. Riders can use the code HeleneRelief, officials said.

At least 80 health care facilities — including hospitals and nursing homes — are evacuating, officials said.

One of the biggest hazards is falling trees, DeSantis said. He urged people to take cover if they hear trees cracking.

-ABC News’ Alex Faul

‘Catastrophic’ flooding in the forecast

Hurricane Helene is forecast to bring six to 12 inches of rain, with isolated totals around 18 inches, to the Southeast.

The intense rainfall could cause “catastrophic and potentially life-threatening” flooding, the National Hurricane Center warned.

What to know about storm surge

Helene is a large storm, so it could bring life-threatening storm surge for the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula.

Storm surge could reach 15 to 20 feet in the Florida Panhandle. The Tampa area could get 4 to 8 feet of storm surge.

Helene strengthens to Category 2

Helene has strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 100 mph.

The storm will continue to strengthen throughout the day and is forecast to be a major hurricane by the time it makes landfall Thursday night.

Damaging winds expected as Helene’s speed increases

Hurricane Helene’s landfall may see “damaging winds” penetrate as far inland as major metro areas like Atlanta, Georgia, the National Hurricane Center warned.

A hurricane warning is currently in place for parts of Florida and Georgia. This includes Tallahassee and Apalachicola, Florida, and Valdosta, Columbus and Macon, Georgia.

A tropical storm warning is in place for cities including Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville and Atlanta. Dothan, Alabama, Charleston, South Carolina, and Asheville, North Carolina are also under tropical storm warnings.

The hurricane is expected to gather speed to Category 3 status — with winds of 111 mph and above — by the time it makes landfall on the Florida coast on Thursday night.

Helene’s damaging winds could reach Atlanta and other cities by Friday morning, subsequently passing into the Appalachians and Ohio Valley by Friday afternoon.

Helene strengthening ahead of Thursday landfall

Hurricane Helene is strengthening as it approaches landfall in Florida, with winds at 90 mph as of Thursday morning.

Helene remains a Category 1 hurricane. Category 2 status begins with winds of 96 mph.

Landfall is projected after 9 p.m. ET on Thursday southeast of Tallahassee.

The National Hurricane Center predicted that Helene will be a Category 3 hurricane — with winds of more than 111 mph — by the time the storm makes landfall.

Storm surges are predicted to be 15 feet and above in Florida’s Big Bend area and between 4 and 8 feet in the Tampa Bay area.

Extreme flash flooding remains a major concern in Georgia and the Carolinas through Thursday night and into Friday morning.

Latest forecast

Helene — currently a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 85 mph — is now located about 425 miles south-southwest of Tampa, Florida.

The worst of the storm surge — up to 20 feet — is expected in Florida’s Big Bend area, where Helene’s set to make landfall.

Landfall is forecast between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Thursday as a major Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 130 mph.

Six to 12 inches of rain is in the forecast, with 18 inches projected locally.

MLB postpones Mets-Braves games in Atlanta due to weather forecast

Major League Baseball announced Wednesday that the scheduled games between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets at Truist Park in Atlanta this week have been postponed due to the forecast and the inclement weather.

The games originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday nights have been moved to a doubleheader on Monday, Sept. 30, according to the MLB’s statement.

The first game will begin at 1:10 p.m. ET and the second game will begin 40 minutes after the last out of the first game, the MLB said.

Monday is a single-admission doubleheader with only one ticket required for both games, according to the statement.

Helene forecast to make landfall as Category 4

Helene, currently a Category 1 hurricane, is forecast to make landfall as a major Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 130 mph.

Landfall is forecast between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Thursday in Florida’s Big Bend region.

Mandatory evacuations in effect in at least 20 Florida counties

Mandatory evacuations are in effect in parts of at least 20 Florida counties, including Taylor, Sarasota, Gulf and Hillsborough.

North Carolina, Georgia declare states of emergency

North Carolina and Georgia have declared states of emergency ahead of Hurricane Helene, their governors announced on Wednesday.

“The current forecast for Hurricane Helene suggests this storm will impact every part of our state,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp warned in a statement. “We are not taking anything for granted, which is why I have directed appropriate state agencies to work around the clock to ensure we’re prepared for whatever is heading our way.”

The heavy rain, flash flooding and winds are also threatening the mountains and Piedmont areas of North Carolina, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said. The state is preparing water rescue teams and urban search and rescue teams to help respond to the storm, he said.

Universities, schools close as Helene approaches

Florida A&M University, the University of Tampa, the University of Florida and Florida State University’s Tallahassee campus have all announced closures ahead of Hurricane Helene’s landfall. The University of Tampa is under a mandatory evacuation order.

Younger students will also be out of school. Only six out of Florida’s 67 counties have public school districts that will remain open on Thursday. Public schools are also closed in Atlanta on Thursday and Friday.

-ABC News’ Alex Faul

Helene’s latest forecast

Helene, currently a Category 1 hurricane, is forecast to make landfall between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Thursday as a major Category 3 hurricane.

Helene is a large storm, so it could bring life-threatening storm surge for the entire West Coast of the Florida Peninsula.

The worst of the storm surge — up to 18 feet — is expected in Florida’s Big Bend area, where Helene’s set to make landfall.

The Tampa Bay area could see up to 8 feet of storm surge; coastal flooding is possible as far south as Fort Myers and Naples.

After Thursday night’s landfall, Helene will bring heavy rain and high winds to the inland Southeast.

Flash flooding is a risk from the Florida Panhandle up to Asheville, North Carolina, and the Appalachians through Friday.

Five to 10 inches of rain is in the forecast, with 15 inches projected locally.

-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin

Helene’s latest forecast

Helene, currently a Category 1 hurricane, is forecast to make landfall between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Thursday as a major Category 3 hurricane.

Helene is a large storm, so it could bring life-threatening storm surge for the entire West Coast of the Florida Peninsula.

The worst of the storm surge– up to 18 feet — is expected in Florida’s Big Bend area, where Helene’s set to make landfall.

The Tampa Bay area could see up to 8 feet of storm surge; coastal flooding is possible as far south as Fort Myers and Naples.

After Thursday night’s landfall, Helene will bring heavy rain and high winds to the inland Southeast.

Flash flooding is a risk from the Florida Panhandle up to Asheville, North Carolina, and the Appalachians through Friday.

Five to 10 inches of rain is in the forecast, with 15 inches projected locally.

-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin

Mandatory evacuations in effect in at least 19 Florida counties

Mandatory evacuations are in effect in parts of at least 19 Florida counties, including Taylor, Sarasota, Gulf and Hillsborough.

Tampa, St. Pete-Clearwater airports to close

The Tampa International Airport will close at 2 a.m. Thursday ahead of Hurricane Helene, officials said.

Airport officials expect to reopen Friday.

The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is also closing on Thursday and plans to reopen Friday.

Universities, schools close as Helene approaches

Florida A&M University, the University of Tampa, the University of Florida and Florida State University’s Tallahassee campus have all announced closures ahead of Hurricane Helene’s landfall. The University of Tampa is under a mandatory evacuation order.

Younger students will also be out of school in counties including Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando, Citrus, Sarasota, Leon and Hillsborough.

-ABC News’ Alex Faul

University of Tampa students ordered to evacuate

The University of Tampa is ordering all students who live on campus to evacuate by 1 p.m. Wednesday, citing mandatory evacuation orders from Hillsborough County officials.

Hurricane Helene is forecast to bring dangerous storm surge to the Tampa Bay area.

“The residence halls will be closed after the evacuation concludes, and there will be no entry allowed into residential buildings until they are reopened following the storm,” the university said in a message to students.

The University of Tampa said it plans to resume operations on Monday.

-ABC News’ Alex Faul

Helene strengthens to Category 1 hurricane

Helene has strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 80 mph.

Helene — now located about 500 miles south-southwest of Tampa, Florida — is the fifth hurricane to form in the Atlantic Basin this season.

64 of Florida’s 67 counties under watches or warnings

Sixty-four out of Florida’s 67 counties are under alerts as Helene nears the state, said Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Only three counties — Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa — are not under some type of watch or warning, like tropical storm, storm surge or hurricane, he said.

Wednesday is the last day for Floridians to finalize preparations before Helene hits, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned.

All Floridians should be prepared for power outages, DeSantis added.

At least 12 health care facilities, including hospitals and nursing homes, are evacuating, and more may choose to do so in the coming hours, the governor said.

-ABC News’ Alex Faul

Extreme flash flooding possible in Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia, Carolinas

Extreme flash flooding is possible in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

First, a storm system separate from Helene is hitting the south on Wednesday. Up to 6 inches of rain is possible over the next 24 hours, bringing a flash flood risk from Atlanta to Asheville, North Carolina.

Then, Thursday afternoon through Friday morning, Hurricane Helene will bring even more extreme rain and flooding to the southern Appalachians.

A rare “high risk” alert for heavy rain has been issued. Up to 15 inches of rain is possible in some spots.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo

How storm surge works and why it’s so dangerous

Helene is forecast to bring 10 to 15 feet of dangerous storm surge to Florida’s Big Bend area, and 4 to 8 feet of storm surge to Tampa Bay.

In 2005, during Hurricane Katrina, at least 1,500 people died “directly, or indirectly, as a result of storm surge,” according to the National Hurricane Center.

Click here to read how storm surge works and why it’s so dangerous.

Helene nears hurricane strength

Tropical Storm Helene is nearing hurricane strength Wednesday morning as it churns just of the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Helene is about 100 miles west-southwest from the western tip of Cuba.

Tropical storm forecast to ‘rapidly’ intensify into major hurricane

Tropical Storm Helene was expected to “rapidly” strengthen and grow in size as it moved on Wednesday into the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. weather officials said.

The storm as of about 4 a.m. local time had maximum sustained winds of about 65 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. It was expected to intensify into a hurricane on Wednesday, before further strengthening into a “major” hurricane on Thursday, the center said.

Helene early Wednesday was traveling northwest at about 9 mph, the center said.

“On the forecast track, the center of Helene will pass near the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula this morning, move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on later today and Thursday, and reach the Big Bend coast of Florida late Thursday,” the center said.

Biden approves Florida emergency declaration ahead of Helene’s landfall

As Florida residents prepare for Tropical Storm Helene to make landfall Thursday, the White House has approved the state’s emergency declaration.

President Biden’s approval allows for federal assistance to supplement state, tribal and local response efforts.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will coordinate all federal disaster relief efforts, according to the White House’s statement.

Biden’s approval Tuesday comes as officials in Sarasota County announced a Level A evacuation order for portions of two neighborhoods beginning Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. ET.

Officials encouraged residents in Curry Creek, Hatchett Creek, Venice and those in Forked Creek, Englewood to be aware of the conditions and stay alert for further updates.

Hurricane warnings issued for portions of Florida’s Panhandle, Big Bend and Gulf Coast

On the current track, Tropical Storm Helene is forecast to make landfall late Thursday night, between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m. ET, as a major Category 3 hurricane with winds up to 115 mph in the Florida Big Bend region.

Hurricane warnings have been issued for Florida’s Panhandle, Big Bend and Gulf Coast regions and hurricane watch warnings have extended into southern Georgia.

Officials have issued tropical storm warnings from Naples and Fort Myers to Orlando and tropical storm watch warnings are in place across Florida’s east coast up to Savannah, Georgia.

Helene’s latest forecast

Helene is expected to strengthen to a hurricane on Wednesday as it enters the Gulf of Mexico and strengthen further to a major Category 3 hurricane by Thursday morning.

A hurricane watch is in effect in Florida from Tallahassee to Tampa, where hurricane conditions will be possible late Wednesday night through late Thursday night.

Wednesday night into Thursday morning, Helene’s outer bands will start to lash Florida’s Gulf Coast. The worst of the conditions will be throughout the day on Thursday.

Helene is forecast to make landfall Thursday night along Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 3 hurricane. Winds could be up to 115 mph during landfall.

Helene is expected to be a large hurricane, which means impacts will extend significantly beyond the center, impacting most of Florida and much of the Southeast.

After landfall, Helene is forecast to quickly move north into Georgia, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the South.

A significant flash flood risk stretches from the Florida Panhandle to South Carolina — including Tallahassee to Atlanta — Thursday night into early Friday.

-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin

How much rain, storm surge to expect

Ten to 15 feet of dangerous storm surge is forecast for Florida’s Big Bend area. Tampa Bay could see 4 to 8 feet of storm surge.

Four to 8 inches of rain is expected from Helene, with 12 inches locally, bringing major flash flooding.

Tornadoes are also possible on Wednesday and Thursday.

Damaging wind gusts over 100 mph will be possible in Tallahassee and Florida’s Big Bend area during landfall Thursday night.

-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin

Universities, schools close ahead of Helene

Ahead of Helene, Florida A&M University in Tallahassee canceled class from Tuesday afternoon through Friday. The university will be closed Wednesday through Friday.

Florida A&M said this weekend’s home football game and parents’ weekend will be rescheduled.

Florida State University said its Tallahassee campus will be closed from Wednesday morning to Sunday night.

FSU Tallahassee students can stay on campus during the closure, but should plan for possible power outages and be prepared to possibly stay inside all day Thursday, the university warned.

Officials in Florida are also closing public schools in multiple counties, including Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando, Citrus and Sarasota.

Mandatory evacuations have been announced in parts of Charlotte and Franklin counties.

Helene strengthens to tropical storm: Latest forecast

Helene, currently located about 180 miles east southeast of Cozumel, Mexico, strengthened to a tropical storm on Tuesday morning.

The forecast shows Helene moving through the Yucatan Channel Wednesday morning, bringing near hurricane-force wind gusts to Cancun, Mexico.

By Thursday morning, coastal flooding will reach Florida, including Naples and Fort Myers.

On Thursday night, Helene will make landfall near Apalachicola, Florida.

Dangerous wind gusts up to 105 mph are expected and storm surge will be a major threat for the Tampa Bay area.

By Friday morning, the center of Helene will be near Atlanta, bringing strong winds to Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Downed trees and power lines will be a major danger across the Southeast.

The flash flood threat will continue into the weekend in the Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys.

State of emergency declared in 61 Florida counties

Helene is forecast to be a major hurricane by the time it makes landfall Thursday night, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Monday.

A state of emergency has been declared in 61 of Florida’s 67 counties, DeSantis said.

“The Big Bend and Panhandle should be especially prepared for a direct impact,” the governor said, and he urged residents to know their evacuation zone.

“You have time to be able to put this place into place,” DeSantis said, noting Helene’s impacts could begin Wednesday.

Latest forecast

Helene will strengthen to a hurricane Tuesday night, and rain is expected to begin in Florida Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning.

On Thursday evening, Helene will make landfall along Florida’s Big Bend area, located between Tallahassee and Gainesville.

Storm surge could reach up to 15 feet in the Big Bend area.

Heavy rain and strong winds are also major threats.

A hurricane watch is in effect for Florida’s Gulf Coast and a tropical storm watch was issued from Orlando to the Florida Keys.

By Thursday night into Friday, the storm will quickly push into Georgia with very heavy rain, gusty winds and possible flash flooding.

This weekend, the storm will stall over the Mid-South, bringing heavy rain and possible flooding to the Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys.

A flood watch has been issued in Florida from Fort Myers to Tampa to Tallahassee, as well as in southern Georgia and Alabama.