Tropical storm force winds began battering Florida on Thursday as Hurricane Helene prepared to make landfall, with forecasters warning that the enormous storm could create a “nightmare” surge along the coast and

Information about landfall and Friday's updates are here. Hurricane Helene has made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in the Florida Big Bend region Thursday at 11:10 p.m., and is moving quickly inland over the Florida Panhandle.

Officials have ordered all tourists to leave as well as all RVs. Mandatory evacuations also are in place for residents in Highland View, Wind Mark, St. Joe Beach, Beacon Hill to the county line and for the City of Port St. Joe for everyone from St. Joseph Bay to North Garrison Avenue and everyone from the bay to Garrison Avenue.