"Helene stands toe-to-toe with any of the threats that Florida has faced over the past ten years or indeed really over hurricane history."

Helene is strengthening as it moves toward the U.S. Gulf Coast. It is expected to become a hurricane today and will hit Florida's Big Bend on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Helene is expected to become a hurricane Wednesday before slamming into Florida as a massive Category 3 storm Thursday.