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.

Tropical Storm Helene, predicted to become a hurricane by Thursday when it makes landfall in Florida, will continue to move through the southeastern portion of the United States, resulting in possibly heavy rainfall in parts of Arkansas toward the end of the week, the National Weather Service said.