The Big Bend area buffers the coastline from Florida's capital city, Tallahassee, which is a little more than 20 miles from the Gulf Coast.

Tropical Storm Helene is gaining strength and will rapidly intensify over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Landfall in the Florida Big Bend as a major Category 3 hurricane is expected late Thursday.

Helene could become the second hurricane to make landfall over Florida's Big Bend region this year. Jason Allen takes a look at how the state and local residents are preparing for the storm.

Helene, 8th named storm of 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, is expected to make landfall in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane, impacting Big Bend area.

As Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine threatens to hit Florida as Hurricane Helene, here's a look at conditions in the Big Bend area and around the state.

Tropical Storm Helene is expected to unleash mudslides and flooding in Cuba before reaching major hurricane strength on Thursday as it hits Florida with life-threatening ocean surge, the U.S. National Weather Service said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday said Florida is preparing for a direct hit from a major hurricane that could intensify quickly before it makes landfall in the Panhandle later this week. The National Hurricane Center predicted a tropical storm currently in the Gulf of Mexico will become Hurricane Helene as it moves north toward Florida by Thursday.

Helene is expected to rapidly intensify into a major and massive hurricane with 115-mph winds by the time it makes landfall Thursday.

Helene officially developed into a named storm Tuesday and is expected to make landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane this week.