In addition to inhabitants of the Big Bend and Panhandle areas, residents from Fort Myers, Fla., to Gulfport and Biloxi, Miss., should remain on alert

Helene is expected to form this week as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine moves across the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center.In addition, the NHC is also monitoring a tropical wave that is expected to move from the African coast.

“Everyone along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region needs to be prepared for hurricane impacts,” said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva, adding the system has the potential to become the strongest hurricane landfall in the U.S. so far this season.