Helene became a hurricane on Wednesday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center has said that it is expected to intensify and grow in size as it crosses the Gulf of Mexico.

Helene is strengthening as it moves toward the U.S. Gulf Coast. It is expected to become a hurricane today and will hit Florida's Big Bend on Thursday.

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Tropical Storm Helene has formed over the Caribbean as of 11 a.m. Tuesday. Helene is the eighth named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane Season.