CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Helene strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane ahead of its expected landfall on Florida's northwest coast tonight, forecasters said, warning that the enormous storm could create a "nightmare" surge in coastal areas and bring dangerous winds and rain across much of the southeastern United States.

Category 4 hurricanes have sustained winds over 130 mph (209 kmh) that can severely damage homes, snap trees and down power lines. Strong winds have already cut power to over 250,000 homes and businesses in Florida, according to the tracking site poweroutage.us.

The hurricane was about 120 miles (195 kilometers) west of Tampa and had sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kph), according to the US National Hurricane Center. Life-threatening storm surges of up to 20 feet (6 meters) were expected in the Big Bend area of Florida.

Hurricane warnings and flash flood warnings extended far beyond the coast up into northern Georgia and western North Carolina. The governors of Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia have all declared emergencies in their states.

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