Helene is forecast to intensify rapidly over the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall in Florida on Thursday. Residents are urged to make preparations — and in many counties, evacuate — before then.

Tropical Storm Helene is rapidly strengthening in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to become a hurricane while moving north along Mexico’s coast toward the U.S. The storm has prompted residents to evacuate,

Two major weather systems are bringing heavy rain, high winds and more to Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on one side and the Caribbean on the other.