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Hurricane Helene live updates: Monster Category 4 storm bears down on Florida

Helene is forecast to make landfall in Florida on Thursday night.

ByEmily Shapiro, David Brennan, Leah Sarnoff, and Julia Reinstein

Last Updated: September 25, 2024, 4:38 PM EDT

Helene -- which has strengthened to a major Category 4 hurricane -- is taking aim at Florida, where it's forecast to make landfall along the Big Bend area on Thursday night.

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All of Georgia will be impacted, governor warns

Here's how the news is developing.

Sep 25, 2024, 4:36 PM EDT

North Carolina, Georgia declare states of emergency

North Carolina and Georgia have declared states of emergency ahead of Hurricane Helene, their governors announced on Wednesday.

"The current forecast for Hurricane Helene suggests this storm will impact every part of our state," Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp warned in a statement. "We are not taking anything for granted, which is why I have directed appropriate state agencies to work around the clock to ensure we're prepared for whatever is heading our way."

The heavy rain, flash flooding and winds are also threatening the mountains and Piedmont areas of North Carolina, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said. The state is preparing water rescue teams and urban search and rescue teams to help respond to the storm, he said.

Sep 25, 2024, 4:15 PM EDT

Universities, schools close as Helene approaches

Florida A&M University, the University of Tampa, the University of Florida and Florida State University’s Tallahassee campus have all announced closures ahead of Hurricane Helene’s landfall. The University of Tampa is under a mandatory evacuation order.

Younger students will also be out of school. Only six out of Florida's 67 counties have public school districts that will remain open on Thursday. Public schools are also closed in Atlanta on Thursday and Friday.

PHOTO: Dave McCurley boards up the windows to his home in advance of Tropical Storm Helene, expected to make landfall as a hurricane, in Ochlockonee Bay, Fla., Sept. 25, 2024. — Dave McCurley boards up the windows to his home in advance of Tropical Storm Helene, expected to make landfall as a hurricane, in Ochlockonee Bay, Fla., Sept. 25, 2024.
Gerald Herbert/AP

-ABC News’ Alex Faul

Sep 25, 2024, 3:06 PM EDT

Helene’s latest forecast

Helene, currently a Category 1 hurricane, is forecast to make landfall between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Thursday as a major Category 3 hurricane.

Helene is a large storm, so it could bring life-threatening storm surge for the entire West Coast of the Florida Peninsula.

The worst of the storm surge -- up to 18 feet -- is expected in Florida’s Big Bend area, where Helene’s set to make landfall.

The Tampa Bay area could see up to 8 feet of storm surge; coastal flooding is possible as far south as Fort Myers and Naples.

After Thursday night’s landfall, Helene will bring heavy rain and high winds to the inland Southeast.

Flash flooding is a risk from the Florida Panhandle up to Asheville, North Carolina, and the Appalachians through Friday.

Five to 10 inches of rain is in the forecast, with 15 inches projected locally.

-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin

Sep 25, 2024, 1:39 PM EDT

Tampa, St. Pete-Clearwater airports to close

The Tampa International Airport will close at 2 a.m. Thursday ahead of Hurricane Helene, officials said.

Airport officials expect to reopen Friday.

The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is also closing on Thursday and plans to reopen Friday.