As Hurricane Helene approaches Florida's Big Bend coast, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a dire warning, calling the expected storm surge "unsurvivable." The rapidly intensifying storm is forecast to make landfall on Thursday evening as a Category 3 or stronger hurricane and evacuations have been ordered for several Florida counties.

Long before its landfall late Thursday, Hurricane Helene and its intense wind and rain were already threatening millions of people in four states.

Helene roared ashore Florida's Big Bend region as one of the most powerful storms to hit the United States, with officials fearing the hurricane would leave a trail of deaths and widespread destruction as it moved inland.

Even before Hurricane Helene hit Florida, coastal communities and residents were beginning to see the effects of the monster storm.

Hurricane Helene could come ashore in Florida as a dangerous Category 3 or 4 storm with a surge over 10 feet, bringing flooding inland. Follow live updates.

Florida state line as a Category 3 hurricane. Far to the east, Florida's Big Bend — where Hurricane Helene is expected to come ashore — never even felt tropical storm strength winds, but it was still hit with a mass of water that devasted coastal communities.