With Hurricane Helene intensifying on its path to hit Florida as a major storm, residents and officials are preparing for impact as reminders from 2022's deadly and destructive Hurricane Ian remain in the Gulf Coast.

Helene strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane hours ahead of its expected landfall on Florida’s northwest coast Thursday night, and forecasters warned that the enormous storm could create a “nightmare” surge in coastal areas and bring dangerous winds and rain across much of the southeastern U.

Helene is expected to continue its current path, heading north-northeast but will speed up significantly over the next 24 hours.