TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Ron DeSantis has expanded a declared state of emergency to 61 of the state's 67 counties as Tropical Storm Helene heads toward Florida and is expected to rapidly grow into a powerful hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.

A state of emergency has been declared in Florida where evacuations are underway along the Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Helene is expected to become a major hurricane before it makes landfall. Residents in the storm's potential path have been told to prepare for up to a week without electricity.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the executive order for a state of emergency now spans 61 counties, including Central Florida.