By Rich McKay and Brendan O'Brien (Reuters) -Powerful storm Helene officially became a hurricane on Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center said, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph) as it churned in the eastern Gulf of Mexico just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Powerful storm Helene officially became a hurricane this morning, the National Hurricane Center said, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph as it churned in the eastern Gulf of Mexico just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Hurricane Helene has formed in the waters between western Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula and now has its sights on Florida’s Gulf coast, where forecasters are warning of major and widespread impacts.