SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – The National Hurricane Center reports Helene is now a major Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

Helene will make landfall this evening in the Big Bend region of Florida.

The Eye of Helene will likely pass less than 150 miles west of the Suncoast area. With that in mind, the Suncoast will be on the “dirty” side of the hurricane, which is the eastern side.

Storm surge will be a factor, with Manatee County expected to endure a wave of between five and eight feet. Sarasota County expects slightly less between four and eight feet. There is currently a flood watch covering the entire Suncoast and minor flooding.

The heavy rainfall is expected to continue as more of Helene’s outer rain bands move through the Sun Coast. As the storm moves north, the core of the storm will remain offshore, but the very large wind field means most of Florida will experience significant impacts.

Conditions are expected to deteriorate overnight, with the most dangerous wind and rain showers occurring during the day on Thursday.

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