CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – Helene was poised to make landfall as a major hurricane along Florida’s Gulf Coast Thursday evening.

Hurricane Helene was expected to make landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday, September 26 around 11 p.m. WBTV’s weather team will go live with coverage when landfall occurs – you can watch live in the video player above.

According to our First Alert meteorologists, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes were possible in the Carolinas Thursday evening as Helene made landfall. The Category 4 hurricane is expected to bring strong winds, rain and storm surge to the Gulf Coast.

The storm will then move north and is expected to hit the Carolinas Friday morning. Helene will bring the chance of heavy rain and gusty winds to the Charlotte area on Friday, according to our First Alert meteorologists.

says WBTV meteorologist Rachel Coulter: Catastrophic flash flooding and the potential for landslides in our mountain and foothill communities are of major concern, and there is a rare high risk of excessive rainfall. Numerous cases of flash flooding are likely to occur as far east as Charlotte, with scattered flash flooding in our eastern counties.

Wind gusts could reach 50 to 60 miles per hour, downing trees and causing numerous to widespread power outages. The highest wind speeds locally are expected Friday morning and a tropical storm warning is in effect for much of the area, including metro Charlotte.

Click here for the full forecast.

Video forecast: Thursday 9pm update

Watch our meteorologists’ update on Hurricane Helene below from 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 26.

Tornado watch issued for the Charlotte region

The Charlotte Metro area was under a tornado watch Thursday evening through Friday morning amid the storm. The following counties in North and South Carolina were under tornado watch until 8 a.m. Friday, September 27:

• Anson
• Cabarrus
• Chester (South Carolina)
• Chesterfield (South Carolina)
• Gaston
• Lancaster (South Carolina)
• Mecklenburg
• Union (North Carolina)
• Union (South Carolina)
• Richmond
• York (South Carolina)

Difference between tornado watches, warnings

A tornado watch is issued when a tornado is possible in and near the area under surveillance. When a watch is in place, the NWS urges affected people to discuss emergency plans, make sure you have adequate supplies and be prepared to act quickly if a tornado approaches.

A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been seen or indicated by weather radar. When a tornado warning is active, there is “imminent danger to life and property,” the NWS says.

A tornado emergency is the most serious tornado alert. A tornado emergency warning is issued when a violent tornado has touched down in an area – where there is a “severe threat to life and property, with confirmed catastrophic damage.”

Here you will find all active alerts for the Charlotte Metro area.

What to do if a tornado is approaching

If a tornado warning is issued, people are urged to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, avoiding windows. Anyone in a mobile home, vehicle or outdoors should “move to the nearest substantial shelter and protect themselves from flying debris,” the NWS said.

If you see a tornado approaching, you are urged not to attempt to outrun it in a vehicle.

“It is not safe to be in a vehicle during a tornado,” the NWS website reads. “The best course of action is to drive to the nearest shelter. If you are unable to reach a safe shelter, get into your car and cover your head, or leave your car and seek shelter in a low-lying area place, such as a ditch or ravine.”

The NWS encourages people to listen to local news or a NOAA weather radio to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings.

“During severe weather outbreaks, multiple thunderstorms are possible and may produce tornadoes,” the NWS said.

Other active weather warnings for the Charlotte region

More weather concerns were being monitored in the Charlotte area as Helene prepared to make landfall. The effects of the storm were expected to bring hazards such as flooding to the area.

Tropical storm warnings were active in the Charlotte region through Friday afternoon.

Flood warnings and warnings were issued for several provinces over the weekend.

Click here to view active versus inactive weather warnings for the area.

View our latest weather forecasts online here. Follow our latest coverage of the WBTV Weather App.

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