A tornado watch is in effect for, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties until 8 p.m. Thursday as a powerful Hurricane Helene speeds toward Florida's Gulf coast, where it's expected to bring catastrophic winds and life-threatening storm surge.

Helene strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on Wednesday morning and is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding to much of Florida.

With Helene closing in on Florida’s Gulf Coast, there is not much time left to finish up hurricane preparations. Publix released a list of the following locations that will close as conditions deteriorate.

Publix announced a statement on social media regarding their store hours during Hurricane Helene. ATLANTA — As Hurricane Helene continues to get closer to making landfall along the Florida coast, and even storm surge impacts being felt across areas of the Sunshine State,