When will Hurricane Helene make landfall? See live updates

ABOVE: Watch WESH 2’s continuous live coverage of HeleneHurricane Helene is strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center, and is expected to slam Florida as a Category 3 storm.Storm surge and hurricane warnings have been issued for the Gulf Coast of Florida as Hurricane Helene continues to grow in size and strength. Models show it could make landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend area.>> Track Helene: Latest maps and modelsInland, meanwhile, tropical storm warnings have been issued for all of Central Florida.Helene is currently located about 350 miles southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph and a minimum central pressure of 966 mb.Video below: Latest Helene forecastA northward or north-northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is expected during the next 24 hours. During this time, Helene is expected to rapidly intensify.On the current forecast track, Helene will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico Thursday, then cross the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening or early Friday morning. After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.>> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2Helene watches, warningsA hurricane watch is in effect for: Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa BayA hurricane warning is in effect for:Western Marion CountyAnclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida A tropical storm watch is in effect for:North of South Santee River to Little River InletA tropical storm warning is in effect for:Volusia CountyEastern Marion CountyLake CountySumter CountySeminole CountyOrange CountyOsceola CountyPolk CountyBrevard CountyFlagler CountyDry TortugasAll of the Florida KeysThe Florida west coast from Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa BayWest of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County lineThe Florida east coast from Flamingo northward to the Little River InletLake OkeechobeeRio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, MexicoCuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth A storm surge warning is in effect for:Mexico Beach eastward and southward to FlamingoTampa Bay Charlotte HarborMore: Difference between tropical storm, hurricane watch and warningA hurricane warning and tropical storm warning means storm conditions are imminent and preparations should be rushed to completion. Storm surge predictionsHelene impacts in Central FloridaEven though models don’t show the center of Helene passing through Central Florida, it’s important to understand impacts will be felt everywhere.>> How huge is Helene? Hurricane’s size prompts advisories for nearly all of FloridaThe biggest threats in Central Florida in association with this tropical system include heavy rain, potential flooding, gusty winds and the potential for tornadoes, especially on Thursday afternoon.>> See county-by-county impacts, timing as Helene moves across FloridaOuter bands and tropical moisture from Helene already started moving northward through the area Wednesday, but as Helene nears Florida and eventually makes landfall, Central Florida should brace for more severe weather.Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to reach 345 miles beyond Helene’s center, the NHC says, which means potential wind gusts of 60 mph are possible locally. In addition to these gusts, a few tornadoes embedded in rain bands are possible.>> Download the WESH 2 appFirst Warning WeatherStay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.RadarSevere Weather AlertsDownload the WESH 2 News app to get the most up-to-date weather alerts.The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.