Helene left a trail of destruction on her way to the United States.

The hurricane swept across parts of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula on Wednesday, flooding streets and toppling trees as the hurricane moved along the coast and passed close to the resort city of Cancun.

The storm formed in the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday.

In Cuba, the government preemptively cut off power to some communities after waves of up to 5 metres high battered the Bay of Cortes.

In the Cayman Islands, schools closed and residents had to pump water from flooded homes.

Helene is expected to become a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) when it makes landfall tonight.

As Helene strengthens, meteorologists warn that Tropical Storm Isaac, which formed yesterday in the Atlantic, is expected to strengthen as it moves eastward across the open ocean, and could even become a hurricane by the end of the week.

In the Pacific Ocean, former Hurricane John reformed into a tropical storm on Wednesday and strengthened as it threatened areas of Mexico’s west coast. Officials issued hurricane warnings for southwestern Mexico.

John hit the country’s southern Pacific coast late Monday night, killing at least two people, causing mudslides and damaging homes and trees. The hurricane intensified to a Category 3 within hours and made landfall east of Acapulco. It emerged from the ocean after weakening inland.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has urged residents not to “get stuck in the ‘cone,'” warning that “hazards such as tornadoes, flooding and storm surges can create dangerous conditions well outside the cone.”

In other words, he cautions people not to assume they’re safe just because their home or business isn’t in the storm’s direct path — or in the “cone” shown on weather maps.

Residents should also check official warnings for other hazards.

Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida on Thursday evening.

Of the state’s 67 counties, 61 are under emergency status, DeSantis said. Mandatory evacuations are in effect in parts of at least 20 counties.

Officials have issued dire warnings and urged residents in coastal areas along the hurricane’s path to evacuate because of catastrophic winds and potentially deadly storm surge (the wall of seawater pushed onto land by hurricane-force winds), which could reach heights of up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) in some places.

“This is not a survivable event for people in coastal or low-lying areas,” said Jared Miller, the sheriff of Wakulla County, where Helene is expected to make landfall. “Please adhere to the evacuation orders that have been issued, because time is running out.”

Helene roared across the Gulf of Mexico, drawing energy from warm ocean waters. It is expected to make landfall in Florida’s panhandle Thursday night, packing sustained winds of up to 156 miles per hour, meteorologists said.

“For those in the path, this unfortunately means catastrophic wind gusts,” said Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Helene is expected to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast within hours, causing an “insurmountable” storm surge that could cause catastrophic damage and flood towns and homes.

The National Hurricane Center warned that Helene could make landfall tonight as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of up to 130 mph (209 kph) after days of strengthening in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Forecasters predict that Helene could cause storm surges of up to 20 feet (6 meters) and warned that they could be “catastrophic and life-threatening” in Florida’s Apalachee Bay. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.

Hello and welcome to DailyMail.com’s live coverage of Hurricane Helene, which is rapidly approaching Florida.

The National Hurricane Center warned that Helene will likely reach Category 4 strength when it makes landfall after strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico.

Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, as meteorologists predict storm surges of up to 20 feet (6 meters).

Government officials say the damage could be unprecedented and catastrophic as residents rush to reach higher ground.

Stay tuned to our coverage as we follow Helene’s movements and update you on the latest developments in Florida.