Much of the Gulf Coast of Florida was placed under hurricane, storm surge and tropical storm watches ahead of an expected landfall Thursday.

A state of emergency has been declared in Florida where evacuations are underway as Tropical Storm Helene strengthens. Residents in the storm's potential path have been told to prepare for up to a week without electricity.

Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 is swirling in the western Caribbean and could quickly become a major hurricane before striking Florida.