Hurricane Helene is barreling toward Florida as a Category 3 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center. It’s expected to make landfall in the Big Bend region by Thursday night as a major hurricane, according to the latest forecast update. As Helene churns through the Gulf of Mexico, its effects have already started in Manatee County.

Nearly 6,000 Manatee County homes have been affected by power outages as Hurricane Helene churns through the Gulf of Mexico. As of Thursday afternoon, Florida Power and Light reported outages for 2,950 customers, with the number likely to increase as the powerful Category 3 storm continues to move north toward Florida’s Big Bend area.