As the sun began to set in Florida Thursday, a powerful Category 3 hurricane continued its northward trek over the Gulf of Mexico and toward the Big Bend region, where forecasters warn of potentially deadly results.

Hurricane Helene intensified into a major Category 4 hurricane on Thursday, and the National Hurricane Center predicted it would bring devastation to Florida’s Big Bend region. “A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend coast,

Hurricane Helene intensified just shy of major hurricane strength in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday with 110 mph sustained winds, with the National Hurricane Center predicting it will grow further