Hurricane Helene updates: Death toll surpasses 230 as rescue efforts continue

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has declared a public health emergency in Florida ahead of Hurricane Helene’s landfall.

Becerra said about 150 emergency responders, as well as medical equipment and supplies, would be deployed "to help protect the delivery of health care services in the storm's path."

"We will do all we can to assist Florida officials with responding to the health impacts of Hurricane Helene," said Becerra. "We are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as our partners across the federal government, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support."

As Hurricane Helene nears landfall in Florida's Big Bend region Thursday night, it strengthened into a Category 4 storm with 130 mph winds.

As of 6:20 p.m. ET, the hurricane was located 120 miles west of Tampa and 165 miles south of Tallahassee. The storm was traveling northeast at 23 mph.

Landfall is forecast between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET Thursday evening.

Hospitals in the path of Hurricane Helene are preparing for the storm to make landfall.

In Florida, Tampa General Hospital said in a statement Thursday afternoon that two hospitals were closed and evacuated and other facilities were closed.

"Due to the conditions expected, and for the safety of our patients and our team members, we have closed TGH Crystal River and the TGH Crystal River Emergency Center," the Tampa General Hospital statement said. "Patients who could safely go home were discharged and patients in need of continuing care were transferred to other locations in the region. We plan to reopen on Friday, September 27, as soon as it is safe for our team members to travel."

Hospitals in the Tallahassee and Atlanta areas also said they would close in preparation for the storm.

HCA Healthcare’s Florida division website lists 12 hospitals with restrictions as of Thursday evening, including notices that it has suspended services and relocated patients to other facilities in the state from at least two hospitals: West Tampa Hospital and Pasadena Hospital.

Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, told ABC news that there have been at least six hospitals so far that have been evacuated in Florida due to Hurricane Helene.

As Hurricane Helene nears landfall in Florida, the storm has grown to Category 4 strength with 130 mph winds.