Updated storm track near the Gulf of Florida

With strong winds of 210 km/h, Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida late Thursday as a devastating Category 4 storm.

After reaching hurricane status on Wednesday, the system will bring “catastrophic and deadly storm surge” to parts of the state's Big Bend coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. Meteorologists warn that Helene will bring destructive waves and flooding, possibly as high as 20 feet above ground level.

“Weakening is expected following landfall, but Helene's rapid forward speed will allow strong, destructive winds, particularly in gusts, to penetrate well into the interior of the southeastern United States, including the higher elevations of the southern Appalachians,” the center said in an 8 p.m. ET update.