(AURN NEWS) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued urgent warnings as Tropical Storm Helene approaches the southeastern United States. According to NOAA's latest advisory, Helene is forecast to intensify to near hurricane strength Wednesday as it nears the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, where a Hurricane Warning is in effect.

NOAA warns of a life-threatening storm surge danger along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Florida's Big Bend, with the highest inundation levels expected along the Big Bend coast. The agency has also issued a Hurricane Warning for portions of Florida's Big Bend, where damaging hurricane-force winds are anticipated. The agency urged residents to complete preparations by early Thursday.

As the storm moves inland, NOAA is warning of considerable flash and urban flooding across portions of Florida, the Southeast, southern Appalachians, and the Tennessee Valley from Wednesday through Friday, with a risk of landslides in the southern Appalachians.

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