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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Helene became a hurricane as it approached the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and is expected to become a major hurricane on Thursday.

As of the National Hurricane Center’s 11 p.m. update, the storm’s maximum sustained winds are at 85 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane. Helene is located about 425 miles southwest of Tampa and about 465 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola.

Helene is expected to reach the Big Bend region of Florida late Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane, according to the latest forecast track. That region is expected to see catastrophic and deadly storm surge, according to the NHC.

“Preparations to protect life and property along the Florida Big Bend Coast should be rushed to completion,” the National Hurricane Center wrote.

Parts of the coast in the Big Bend area could see up to 20 feet of storm surge.

Max Defender 8 Chief Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli said residents in the Nature Coast and Big Bend should not take any chances and need to evacuate.

“You cannot survive 20 feet or even 15 feet of storm surge,” Berardelli said. “If you’re near the water and you know you’re going to flood, especially if you’re in a mobile home, too. You’ve got to go. You cannot take your chances. This is not survivable.”

Watches and warnings

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…

• Mexico Beach eastward and southward to Flamingo
• Tampa Bay
• Charlotte Harbor

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…

• Anclote River to Mexico Beach
• Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico including Cozumel

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for…

• West of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…

• Cuban province of Pinar del Rio
• Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

• Florida Keys, including the Dry Tortugas
• Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
• West of Mexico Beach to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line
• Flamingo northward to Little River Inlet
• Lake Okeechobee
• Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, Mexico
• Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth

Tropical Storm Isaac

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Isaac formed in the open subtropical Atlantic on Wednesday night.

The system is well east-northeast of Bermuda and is not expected to impact North America.