Hurricane Helene was moving toward northern Florida and was expected to strengthen into a Category 4 storm with the potential for severe storm surge, damaging winds and tornadoes. Evacuations were accelerated in flood-prone areas and sandbagging was in full swing. NBC News’ Marissa Parra reports.

“Catastrophic” storm damage, flash flooding from heavy rains, tornadoes and deadly storm surges are expected along the Big Bend Coast, the National Weather Service office in Tallahassee warned early this morning.

Destructive winds would be felt far into the interior of the state and into Georgia, it was said.

Last night, the office in Tallahassee said the forecast was a “horror scenario for Apalachee Bay.”

“Please, please, please take all evacuation orders seriously!” they said.

Florida is facing 48 hours of dangerous extreme weather as Hurricane Helene moves across the Gulf of Mexico. NBC News meteorologist Angie Lassman has the latest forecast on Early Today.