Storm tracker: Potential hurricane could hit Gulf Coast this week

A possible hurricane — which might be named Helene — is churning within the Caribbean and is forecast to make landfall alongside the Florida Panhandle on Thursday.

The system is forecast to turn into Tropical Storm Helene by early Tuesday morning.

It’s going to then transfer into the Gulf of Mexico and strengthen to a hurricane on Wednesday morning.

Hurricane watches have been issued in Tulum, Mexico; Cancun, Mexico; and Cuba.

The storm is forecast to proceed to strengthen and will make landfall alongside the Florida Panhandle on Thursday night time as a Class 2 or Class 3 hurricane.

Flash flooding, robust winds and storm surge are the most important threats.

The Tampa Bay, Florida, space and the Florida Panhandle are anticipated to get the worst of the storm surge.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stated he is declared a state of emergency in 41 counties.

Now could be the time to make an emergency plan, know your evacuation zone, and be as ready as potential for the storm,” he stated on social media.

After landfall, Helene’s heavy rain and flash flooding could transfer inland to Tallahassee, Florida; Atlanta; and Nashville, Tennessee.