Tropical Storm Helene prompts evacuations in Florida

Florida residents are already evacuating and filling sandbags days ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Helene, which is forecast to rapidly intensify into a hurricane.

Helene formed Tuesday in the Caribbean Sea, is expected to cross the Gulf of Mexico and make landfall as soon as late Thursday. Hurricane watches have been issued for parts of Cuba, Mexico and part of the Florida coastline, including Tampa Bay. A tropical storm warning has been issued for parts of the Florida Keys. 

Official projections from the National Hurricane Center call for Helene to become a devastating Category 3 hurricane with peak sustained winds of 115 mph at landfall.