...HELENE EXPECTED TO BRING CATASTROPHIC WINDS AND STORM SURGES TO
THE NE GULF COAST...

Strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a
major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening. Weakening is expected after landfall, but Helene's fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the SE United
States, including over the higher terrain of the southern
Appalachians."