Helene strengthens as hurricane warnings cover parts of Florida and Mexico

Tourists bathe at a beach as Tropical Storm Helene approaches the Yucatan Peninsula, in Cancun, Mexico, Sept. 24, 2024

Tropical Storm Helene was rapidly strengthening in the Caribbean Sea and expected to become a hurricane Wednesday while moving north along Mexico's coast toward the U.S., prompting residents to evacuate, schools to close and officials to declare emergencies in Florida and Georgia.