Hurricane Helene is expected to rapidly intensify into a Category 4 storm before making landfall in northern Florida late Thursday, bringing life-threatening conditions and extreme damage.

It could hit the Florida Big Bend area with winds of 120-125 mph, gusts up to 160 mph, and a storm surge up to 20 feet.

Torrential rain of 8-12 inches, with up to 24 inches in some areas, may cause catastrophic flooding, extending well inland, reported by AccuWeather.

Helene could also trigger tornadoes and widespread power outages as it moves through Georgia, South Carolina, and into the Appalachian region.

Written B.C. Begley