What to know as Hurricane Helene takes aim at Florida

Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Another storm system is taking aim at Florida. Helene became a hurricane Wednesday after rapidly strengthening in the Caribbean Sea and moving north along Mexico’s coast on a path toward the U.S. Helene’s center was near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday. It is forecast to grow stronger and larger as it heads into the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida. The National Hurricane Center says it could grow to a Category 3 system. Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Monday afternoon for 61 of Florida’s 67 counties along and near Florida’s Gulf Coast. Another three counties were under a warning or watch.