TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Residents and politicians along Florida’s Gulf Coast and Panhandle are wasting no time preparing for the next tropical threat to target the Gulf Coast, as Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene is likely to form this week.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine continues to gain strength as it heads toward the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The National Hurricane Center is warning millions of people along the Gulf Coast to prepare for potential impacts that could be felt as early as Wednesday.

Whether a tropical storm or hurricane, the system will bring dangerous rip currents, life-threatening storm surges, destructive winds and heavy rainfall to Florida’s west coast.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Monday declaring a state of emergency in 41 counties in the Sunshine State to help authorities prepare for the storm.

“We will continue to monitor the path of the storm and keep Floridians informed. Now is the time to create an emergency plan, know your evacuation zone and be as prepared as possible for the storm,” DeSantis said on X.

In Leon County, home to Florida’s capital city of Tallahassee, residents are being offered sandbags in anticipation of torrential rains and flooding.

The Tallahassee City Council is also making other preparations for the approaching storm.

The Florida Panhandle has already been hit hard

The Florida Panhandle is used to devastating hurricanes and tropical storms.

In 2018, Hurricane Michael was the strongest hurricane to hit Florida since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

In parts of the Panhandle, from Panama City Beach to Mexico Beach, rebuilding continues after 140 mph winds and storm surge devastated beach towns.

Monday marks the 49th anniversary of Hurricane Eloise making landfall as a major hurricane east of Fort Walton Beach and Destin.

According to the National Weather Service, the 1975 storm was the first major hurricane to hit the Panhandle region in 40 years.