Tampa Bay is bracing for Tropical Storm Helene as it barrels toward Florida's west coast. Residents should prepare now, local officials said. State of play: The rapidly intensifying cyclone is expected to bring up to 8 feet of storm surge to Tampa Bay,

Helene is expected to become a hurricane sometime overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning, with the possibility of a major hurricane in the eastern Gulf late Wednesday into Thursday. The Tampa Bay area will start to see rain bands move in Wednesday,

Residents of the Tampa Bay area and the Florida Gulf Coast are being told to prepare for flooded streets, storm surge and rain, as Helene moves through the Gulf Wednesday and Thursday. Forecasters say Helene will strengthen rapidly into a major hurricane as it passes the Yucatan and Cuba.