Nearly the entire state of Florida is expected to feel the high winds and rains of Hurricane Helene starting as soon as Wednesday — including Miami-Dade and Broward County, which are now under new warnings.

Hurricane Irma, weakened slightly from Category 5 to Category 4, blew ashore on the Florida Keys with winds of 130 mph.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday said Florida is preparing for a direct hit from a major hurricane that could intensify quickly before it makes landfall in the Panhandle later this week. The National Hurricane Center predicted a tropical storm currently in the Gulf of Mexico will become Hurricane Helene as it moves north toward Florida by Thursday.