Tropical Storm Helene is expected to quickly strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane and hit the Gulf Coast as a major hurricane this week.

Tropical storm warnings and hurricane warnings are in effect for parts of Cuba and Mexico, as well as most of Florida’s Gulf Coast. The storm is expected to strengthen, aided by record warm water in the Gulf of Mexico and accelerates towards the eastern Gulf Coast on Wednesday.

A map from the National Hurricane Center shows the storm developing Thursday evening and moving north through the Florida Panhandle. Tallahassee is in the middle of the forecast path. The remnants of the storm are expected to move through Alabama and Georgia Friday morning, passing Huntstville and Atlanta before continuing north through Tennessee and into the Midwest by the weekend.

Strong winds are expected for the Florida Panhandle Thursday morning. They will peak at 90 mph along the Gulf Coast and weaken to 70 mph during the day as the storm moves into Georgia. Parts of the Southeast, including the Carolinas, will see winds in the 20 mph range.

Dangerous storm surges are expected in many areas, especially between Panama City and TampaThe shoreline between the Ochlockonee River and Chassahowitzka could see 10 to 15 feet of floodwater. Surrounding areas could see between 5 and 10 feet of floodwater, and the Tampa Bay area is expected to see a storm surge of between 5 and 8 feet.

The Florida Keys may experience a storm surge of 30 to 90 centimeters.

Using the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Know Your Zone map, residents can enter their address and learn their evacuation route in the event of a flood or other disaster.

Rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is expected across much of Florida, but more is expected in coastal areas, according to the hurricane center. Parts of the Panhandle, as well as southern Georgia and Alabama, could receive 4 to 6 inches of rain, and up to 8 inches is possible in the Tallahassee area.

According to CBS Miami, gusty storms will sweep across Florida on Wednesday and Thursday, possibly bringing heavy rain, strong winds and a brief tornado.