Tropical Storm Helene is rapidly intensifying and is expected to become a major hurricane ahead of its anticipated landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast, particularly in the Big Bend region. With hurricane warnings issued along the entire Florida coast, thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate and prepare for storm surge conditions that could exceed historical levels. School closures and disruptions to travel plans have been announced, and emergency declarations have been expanded across the state. Helene's projected path still indicates a strong impact for several areas, with the potential associated heavy rains leading to flooding even in parts of neighboring states. As the storm nears, Florida residents are urged to stay informed through meteorological updates and to take necessary precautions.