Florida, United States

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A major thunderstorm system which is strengthening in the western Caribbean Sea will soon turn into Hurricane Helene and make landfall on the US Gulf Coast.

The system has been currently declared "Potential Tropical Storm Nine" by the National Hurricane Centre (NHC)

Even though the system has not fully formed yet, the NHC has alerted that this storm is likely to make landfall as a major hurricane. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings have already been issued by Cuba and Mexico.

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The weather officers have placed parts of the Florida Keys along with Dry Tortugas region of Florida under a tropical storm watch.

According to the forecast, the hurricane will hit Florida or the northern Gulf Coast later this week.

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A state of emergency has been declared by Florida Governor Ron Desantis in 41 of the state's 67 counties, as per the press release.

The Governor's office has also issued a warning of rainfall and potential winds which can lead to widespread power outages because of gusty winds and fallen trees.

Where is the tropical storm currently?

The authorities have issued tropical alerts in parts of the Yucatan Peninsula, the Greater Antilles, and Florida.

As of now, tropical storms and hurricanes are expected in these areas in the next 36-48 hours.

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The system is currently in the far western Caribbean Sea and is likely to lead to heavy rains in parts of Central America, Mexico, Cuba, and Jamaica before turning into a tropical storm.

There are chances that the storm's path may change course however the National Hurricane Centre said that currently, the storm is moving north towards the Gulf of Mexico's war waters.

(With inputs from agencies)