Hurricane Helene projected to hit Florida as Category Four storm

Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida as a Category Four storm on Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday, and it could be the strongest storm to hit the United States in over a year.

The storm, which strengthened into a Category One hurricane on Wednesday, could wreak havoc on communities in the Southeast, with a storm surge potentially reaching up to 20 feet, according to CNN.

Wind speed is expected to reach up to 130 mph Thursday afternoon, but could strengthen even more just before landfall. 

Five states have issued emergency declarations so far, including North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. The storm could also drench Tennessee, Kentucky, Washington D.C., and Indiana. 

“Preparations to protect life and property from storm surge and damaging winds along the Florida Big Bend coast should be rushed to completion today,” the National Hurricane Center warned.

Tallahassee, Florida, is also wary of the upcoming hurricane, which is currently projected to remain a hurricane through Friday, with city officials warning that it could be the "worst storm" in its history.

“If our community remains central in Helene’s path, as forecasted, we will see unprecedented damage like nothing we have ever experienced before as a community,” Tallahassee mayor John E. Dailey said on Wednesday.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.