As Helene began to strengthen, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency and some school districts announced plans to close for days.

What will become Hurricane Helene could bring hurricane force winds, storm surge, and flooding rains to parts of the area leading up to its landfall late Thursday.

Helene becomes the 8th named storm of the 2024 hurricane season, with forecasts indicating it will reach “major” category 3 status over the Eastern Gulf of Mexico by Thursday. It is expected to make landfall along the Big Bend of Florida Thursday night.

Tampa Bay residents should prepare for Tropical Storm Helene, local officials say, with the storm expected to become a hurricane once it enters the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday. A stretch of Florida’s west coast including Pinellas and Pasco counties is under a hurricane watch.