Live updates: Hurricane Helene forecast to hit Florida as Category 4 storm

Helene strengthened into a hurricane on Wednesday and is expected to strengthen further – potentially becoming a major hurricane – before making landfall over Florida on Thursday. Life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, torrential rain, and flooding are possible.

Watch: Impressive shelf cloud as Hurricane Helene impacts Florida

FOX 35's David Martin and Paulo Almeida captured video of an impressive shelf cloud in Cedar Key, Florida, as an outer rainband from Hurricane Helene began to cross the state. Hurricane Helene is currently a Category 1 storm, but is forecast to become a major Category 4 hurricane before making landfall near Florida's Big Bend region.

Hurricane Helene: Airline travel advisories, flight delays, cancellations; what to know

As Helene treks close to Florida, the storm's impacts will be felt in Orlando, Tampa, and Central Florida, including strong winds, heavy rain, and the potential for severe weather. That could lead to flight delays or cancelations at Florida's major airports, including Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA).

Hurricane Helene: Orange County updates & information

As Hurricane Helene, the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, makes its way towards Florida, here is what people in Orange County need to know about evacuations, school closings, shelters, sandbag locations, and emergency information.