Hurricane Helene, which is currently Category 1, formed from an area of low pressure in the Caribbean, having strengthened rapidly over the last few days. The hurricane is expected to be the "strongest hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. this season," possibly hitting Category 3 or 4 strength.

As Hurricane Helene approaches Florida, Georgia and Alabama, metro Atlanta and its surrounding communities are bracing for torrential rain, heavy flooding and widespread power outages on Thursday.Helene is expected to make landfall as a category 3 in Florida late Thursday.