Many areas are forecast to see dangerous storm surges, especially between Panama City and Tampa. The coast stretching from Ochlockonee River to Chassahowitzka could see between 10 and 15 feet of water. Nearby areas could see between 5 and 10 feet of water, and the Tampa Bay area is forecast to experience between 5 and 8 feet of storm surge.

Tropical Storm Helene formed in the northwestern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday, but National Hurricane Center forecasters expected the storm to quickly turn into a hurricane by Wednesday as it enters the unusually warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Tropical Storm Helene formed Tuesday morning and will rapidly intensify into a major hurricane — Category 3 or higher — and bring catastrophic storm surge, flooding and destructive winds to