Helene has strengthened into a hurricane with forecasters warning that the storm would intensify as it crosses the Gulf of Mexico on a path to Florida.

The National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center have issued a new advisory for Tropical Storm Helene, indicating that the storm will intensify and is expected to become a hurricane later today.

Tropical Storm Helene is headed towards Florida and surrounding states including Georgia can also expect weather disturbances including heavy rainfall and potential flooding throughout the course of the week.