The National Hurricane Center said Monday afternoon that a major hurricane will make landfall along the Florida Gulf coast on Thursday. The storm, which is still taking shape and will be named Helene, could become the strongest hurricane to hit the United States this season.

Forecast to rapidly intensify and come ashore as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds exceeding 111 miles per hour, Helene poses a significant threat to Florida residents.

"While it is too soon to pinpoint the exact location and magnitude of impacts, the potential for life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds along the coast of the Florida Panhandle and the Florida west coast is increasing," the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. ET bulletin.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency earlier in the day in 41 counties. Helene is expected to make landfall near the Big Bend region of the Florida panhandle but could shift course over the coming days.

In addition to high winds, the storm will threaten millions of residents along the Gulf Coast with up to 12 inches of rainfall, as well as the possibility of tornadoes.

"In the past, major hurricanes, containing maximum sustained wind speeds of at least 111 mph, have developed in similar setups," said AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Duffus.

What is the storm’s path?

According to a 5 p.m. ET advisory, the storm is about 315 miles southeast of the western tip of Cuba with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, while moving north-northwest at 7 mph.

However, over the next day or two, meteorologists predict, that the system will turn into a tropical depression or storm as it moves northwest on Tuesday.

"The Tampa Bay region is extremely vulnerable to storm surge. If this storm tracks any farther west, we could end up dealing with a serious storm surge and flooding problems in Tampa," AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva predicted.

But meteorologists warned residents from Louisiana to Key West, Fla., to prepare for the storm.

The National Hurricane Center issued hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings on Monday for parts of Mexico and Cuba as the storm intensifies over the record-warm Gulf of Mexico.

The storm is expected to weaken by Friday as it moves inland across the Southeast. However, heavy rainfall and wind gusts will linger along its path.

How is Florida preparing?

Florida, which was pummeled by Hurricane Debby earlier this season, is bracing for another storm this week. In Leon County, home to Tallahassee, 15 sandbags will be available for each household to take home to prepare against heavy rain and flooding.

With the forecast still uncertain, DeSantis has already declared a state of emergency in 41 counties. The declaration allows the state to execute its Comprehensive Emergency Management plan, allowing the use of resources for any logistical, rescue or evacuation operations.

“Now is the time to make an emergency plan, know your evacuation zone, and be as prepared as possible for the storm,” DeSantis said in a post on X.

Watches and warnings

As of 5 p.m. ET on Monday, the NHC advisory posted a hurricane watch in effect for:

Cabo Catoche, Quintana Roo, Mexico, to Tulum, Mexico

Pinar del Río Province, Cuba

A tropical storm warning was in effect for:

Rio Lagartos, Mexico, to Tulum, Mexico

Artemisa Province, Cuba

Pinar del Río Province, Cuba

Isle of Youth, Cuba

A tropical storm watch was in effect for: