Tropical Storm Helene formed over the northwestern Caribbean on Tuesday and triggered a tropical storm warning for the Lower Florida Keys. The storm is forecast to be a major hurricane for the Florida panhandle Thursday.

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,

The disturbance is forecast to become a hurricane Wednesday and will strengthen as it crosses the eastern Gulf of Mexico.