"Tropical Storm Helene, now formed, is projected to intensify. As always, Florida will prepare for the worst and hope for the best," he wrote on X. "Stay tuned to local and state emergency recommendations and alerts. Get preparations in place now for the storm and heed evacuation directives, if issued, from local officials."

HOMOSASSA, Fla. - Citrus County is bracing for a potentially "grave" impact from what is expected to be Hurricane Helene. "It's the greatest storm threat we have faced in the past hundred years," said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "We want people to be prepared and heed the warnings." The worry is storm surge, which could be more than ten feet.

The highest landfall probability is somewhere along the eastern part of the Florida Panhandle late Thursday evening, forecasters said.