Tampa Bay area residents should prepare for potential hurricane conditions within 36 hours, officials say, with Tropical Storm Helene expected to become a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday. A stretch from Pasco County north along the Big Bend to Mexico Beach in the panhandle is under a hurricane warning.

Tampa Bay is bracing for Tropical Storm Helene as it barrels toward Florida's west coast. Residents should prepare now, local officials said. State of play: The rapidly intensifying cyclone is expected to bring up to 8 feet of storm surge to Tampa Bay,

A shallow coastal shelf makes cities along the Gulf of Mexico more vulnerable to storm surges during hurricanes.