Much of the Gulf Coast of Florida was placed under hurricane, storm surge and tropical storm watches ahead of an expected hurricane.

The track forecast from the hurricane center shows the center of what could be Hurricane Helene approaching the Florida coast on Thursday. Areas from the Panhandle to the western peninsula appeared to be most at risk. Tropical storm and surge watches were issued for part of the southern Florida peninsula late Monday.

In addition to inhabitants of the Big Bend and Panhandle areas, residents from Fort Myers, Fla., to Gulfport and Biloxi, Miss., should remain on alert