Florida will be hit hard by Tropical Storm Helene, meteorologists said today. The storm is expected to make landfall in Florida as a hurricane tomorrow night.

The National Hurricane Center said in a 5 a.m. ET update that the list of watches and warnings had grown overnight, with a hurricane warning already in effect for Florida’s west coast from Mexico Beach to the Anclote River.

A hurricane warning is in effect for the entire coastal area from the river to Englewood.

“Preparations to protect lives and property must be completed as soon as possible,” the NHC said.

A storm surge warning, which means there is a risk of life-threatening flooding in the next 36 hours, is in effect for most of Florida’s west coast, from Indian Pass, southeast of Panama City, to Flamingo in Everglades National Park at the tip of the peninsula. The warning also includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

In the upper part of the west coast, the storm surge can reach a height of 3 to 4.5 meters.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the west coast of Florida, much of the east coast and all of the Florida Keys.

Some visitors to the tourist hotspot Cancun were still on the beaches Tuesday despite warnings that Helene was approaching Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

NBC News meteorologist Angie Lassman predicts Helene’s track, size and strength as it heads toward Florida on Early Today.