As Helene strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane, officials are advising residents to heed all evacuation orders.

Residents in low-lying areas near the water are urged to evacuate ahead of Tropical Storm Helene, Manatee County officials say.

Nearly 6,000 Manatee County homes have been affected by power outages as Hurricane Helene churns through the Gulf of Mexico. As of Thursday afternoon, Florida Power and Light reported outages for 2,950 customers, with the number likely to increase as the powerful Category 3 storm continues to move north toward Florida’s Big Bend area.

Multiple counties across the west coast of Florida have issued mandatory evacuations. Find out where storm shelters and other information can be found to prepare for Hurricane Helene.