Forecasters say they expect Tropical Storm Helene in the Caribbean Sea to strengthen rapidly and become a hurricane as it moves north across the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday toward the U.S. The National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane

Flood watches cover almost all of South Georgia (see the full list below). The storm is still forecasted to be a major hurricane before it hits the Gulf Coast Thursday evening. Sustained Tropical Storm-force winds ranging from 39 to 74mph are expected. Hurricane gusts of 75 to 100 mph are possible.

Several Georgia high schools are adjusting their football schedules ahead of Tropical Storm Helene. Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz says Helene is projected to make landfall as a hurricane on Florida’s Big Bend on Thursday. It’s projected to be a tropical storm as it moves up through Georgia late Thursday into Friday.