HOUSTON, US 

Hurricane Helene was barreling towards the US state of Florida on Thursday as a Category 3 storm, with the National Hurricane Center warning that it could intensify into a Category 4 storm by the time it makes landfall.

Helene is already packing sustained winds of 125 miles per hour (201 kilometers per hour) and is expected to make landfall along Florida's Big Bend, in particular the state's capital, with a "dead-on hit to Tallahassee," Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director Deanne Criswell told media outlets after analyzing the latest storm trajectory forecast.

A state of emergency has been declared in 61 of Florida's 67 counties, with mandatory evacuations in place for communities along Florida's Gulf Coast that are in the path of the storm.

Devastating wind damage is expected and "unsurvivable" storm surges could reach as high as 20 feet (6 meters) along the coastal areas. Torrential rains and catastrophic flooding are also in the forecast, with up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) deluging places in Helene's bullseye. In addition, tornado watches and warnings are in effect throughout the region.

"Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," the National Hurricane Center said in a statement.

The hurricane will continue to gain strength as it approaches Florida and is expected to make landfall sometime Thursday night.

Helene "will likely be an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane at landfall," said the hurricane center.

The storm is expected to barrel through Florida and then make its way up the Atlantic Coast, affecting the states of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

The hurricane center said that 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) of rainfall are expected in those states, which could trigger flash flooding and landslides. The risk of tornadoes is also in the forecast.

"Take the storm seriously," said FEMA's Criswell.