Southeast US under major storm warning as hurricane watch issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico

Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Forecasters have issued hurricane watches for parts of Cuba and Mexico as a cluster of storms located south of the Cayman Islands could strengthen in upcoming days as it moves north toward the U.S. The National Hurricane Center says the disturbance may become Hurricane Helene on Wednesday as it approaches the Gulf Coast. It warns it could be at least a Category 3 when it reaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday. The cluster of storms was west-southwest of Grand Cayman early Tuesday with winds of 35 mph.