Helene gains hurricane strength as it lashes Cuba, takes aim at Florida

Palm trees sway by heavy winds and rain caused by Tropical Storm Helene, in Cancun, Mexico September 25, 2024. REUTERS/Paola Chiomante

(Reuters) -Powerful storm Helene officially became a hurricane on Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center said, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph) as it churned in the eastern Gulf of Mexico just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Helene was expected to continue intensifying throughout the day and into Thursday, when it will likely bring life-threatening storm surge to much of Florida's coastline as a major hurricane, according to forecasters.