“The large size of the storm is going to push so much water,” NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said in an update Wednesday morning. “When it comes to storm surge, the size of the hurricane is often more important than the intensity, which is often hard for people to digest.”

Manatee County evacuations, school closures, sandbag operations, public transportation schedules as Hurricane Helene makes its way to FL.

As Helene strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane, officials are advising residents to heed all evacuation orders.