When will Hurricane Helene make landfall? View live updates

ABOVE: Watch WESH 2's continuous live coverage of Helene. Hurricane Helene has strengthened to a Category 2 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center, and is expected to hit the Florida coast today. Storm surge and hurricane warnings have been issued for Florida's Gulf Coast as Hurricane Helene continues to grow in size and strength. Models show it could make landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend area.>> Tracking Helene: Latest Maps and ModelsInland, meanwhile, tropical storm warnings have been issued for all of Central Florida. Helene is currently located about 320 miles southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph and a minimum central pressure of 960 mb.Video below: Latest Helene forecastNorthward or north-northeastward motion with a faster forward speed is expected over the next 24 hours. During this time, Helene is expected to rapidly gain strength. On the current forecast track, Helene will cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Thursday and then cross the Big Bend coast of Florida on Thursday evening or early Friday morning. After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwest and slow over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.>> Download Very Local | Stream news and weather for Central Florida from WESH 2Helene watches and warningsA hurricane watch is in effect for: Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa BayA hurricane warning is in effect for:Western Marion CountyAnclote River to Mexico Beach, FloridaA tropical storm watch is in effect for:North of the South Santee River to Little River InletA tropical storm warning is in effect for:Volusia CountyEastern Marion CountyLake CountySumter CountySeminole CountyOrange CountyOsceola CountyPolk CountyBrevard CountyFlagler CountyDry TortugasAll of the Florida KeysThe west coast of Florida from Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa BayWest of Mexico Beach to the Walton-Bay county lineThe east coast of Florida from Flamingo northward to Little River InletLake OkeechobeeRio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, MexicoThe Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and Isle of Youth A storm surge warning is in effect for:Mexico Beach eastward and southward to FlamingoTampa Bay Charlotte HarborMore: Difference Between Tropical Storm, Hurricane Watch and WarningA hurricane warning and a tropical storm warning mean storm conditions are imminent and preparations should be completed quickly.Storm Surge PredictionsHelene's Impact on Central FloridaEven though models do not show the center of Helene moving through Central Florida, it is important to understand that the impacts will be felt everywhere.>> How Big Is Helene? Due to the size of the hurricane, warnings are being issued for nearly all of Florida. The biggest dangers for Central Florida associated with this tropical system include heavy rain, possible flooding, gusty winds and the possibility of tornadoes, especially Thursday afternoon. A tornado warning is in effect for most of Central Florida until 8 p.m. Thursday.>> Stay up to date with all the latest warnings in Central Florida. The outer bands and tropical moisture from Helene have already moved northward through the region on Wednesday, but as Helene approaches Florida and eventually makes landfall, Central Florida can expect even more severe weather conditions. According to the NHC, tropical storm force winds are expected as far as 345 miles beyond Helene's center, meaning wind gusts of 60 mph are possible locally. In addition to these gusts, a few tornadoes embedded in rainbands are possible.>> Download the WESH 2 app First Warning Weather Stay online and on air with WESH 2 for the most accurate weather forecasts for Central Florida. Radar Severe Weather Alerts Download the WESH 2 News app for the most up-to-date weather alerts. The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.