...HELENE STRENGTHENING AND EXPECTED TO BRING CATASTROPHIC WINDS AND STORM SURGE TO THE NORTHEASTERN GULF COAST... ...PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION... As of 4:00 AM CDT Thu Sep 26 the center of Helene was located near 24.2, -86.2 with movement NNE at 12 mph. The minimum central pressure was 966 mb with maximum sustained winds of about 90 mph.