Tampa Bay officials began evacuations Tuesday afternoon ahead of Tropical Storm Helene, which is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane on Florida’s Gulf Coast in the next few days.

As Helene passes, storm surge will be an issue. South wind will shift to the southwest pushing water into the coastline and into Tampa Bay. Storm surge can be as high as 5 to 10 feet along the Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando county coastlines and 10 to 15 feet along Citrus County and 4 to 8 feet in Tampa Bay itself.

Tampa Bay is bracing for Tropical Storm Helene as it barrels toward Florida's west coast. Residents should prepare now, local officials said. State of play: The rapidly intensifying cyclone is expected to bring up to 8 feet of storm surge to Tampa Bay,