An area of thunderstorms in the Caribbean is expected to develop into Hurricane Helene and rapidly intensify over the exceptionally warm Gulf of Mexico before slamming into the United States’ Gulf Coast later this week,

Preparations to secure life and property should start now for those inside the cone of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, soon-to-be Helene.

Hurricane Helene will likely form by Wednesday morning as it moves past the western tip of Cuba and the northeastern tip of the Cancun peninsula. From here, Hurricane Helene will continue to strengthen as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico.