Hurricane Helene, which is currently Category 1, formed from an area of low pressure in the Caribbean, having strengthened rapidly over the last few days. The hurricane is expected to be the "strongest hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. this season," possibly hitting Category 3 or 4 strength.

Tropical Storm Helene was poised to become a hurricane on Wednesday as it rapidly intensified in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, threatening to bring life-threatening storm surge to Florida within the next two days.