A developing storm in the western Caribbean is expected to intensify into a major hurricane and make landfall over the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend areas on Thursday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surge.

A storm developing in the western Caribbean is expected to intensify into a hurricane and make landfall over the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend areas on Thursday, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surge.

The storm is forecast to drop 4 to 8 inches of rain across much of the region, with localized amounts of up to 12 inches near the landfall zone. AccuWeather’s StormMax estimate predicts some areas could see as much as 24 inches of rain. In addition to heavy rainfall, wind gusts of up to 120 miles per hour are expected in the hardest-hit areas, with isolated gusts potentially reaching 140 miles per hour. AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said the storm has the potential to become the strongest to make landfall in the U.S. this year, urging those in its projected path to remain vigilant.

“Everyone along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region needs to be prepared for hurricane impacts,” said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. “This setup has the potential to become the strongest hurricane landfall in the U.S. so far this season.”

The Tampa Bay area could face severe flooding if the storm tracks further west, according to AccuWeather. DaSilva noted that Gulf water temperatures, currently near record highs, are likely to fuel rapid intensification of the storm.

“All the factors are in place for this system to strengthen significantly,” he said. “We expect this evolving storm threat to rapidly intensify into a hurricane. Don’t wait to prepare if you’re in the path of this storm. There is a possibility that we could be dealing with a major hurricane at landfall.”

AccuWeather has been monitoring the storm since mid-September and was the first source to issue a forecast on its potential to affect the U.S. Gulf Coast. Meteorologists are urging residents across Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana to closely monitor developments, as the storm is expected to cause disruptions far beyond its landfall zone. Widespread power outages are likely in Florida’s Panhandle and Big Bend regions, as well as across parts of Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.

The storm could become the first major hurricane—Category 3 or higher—to make landfall in the U.S. this year, and experts warn that it could hit areas still recovering from Hurricane Idalia, which battered Florida’s Big Bend region in August 2023. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody took to X on Monday morning, urging Floridians to adequately prepare for the storm.

“A tropical disturbance is expected to strengthen in the Gulf and impact Florida near the end of this week,” she said. “Floridians on the Gulf Coast should make preparations now.”