NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA (352today.com) – Hurricane Helene has strengthened to a Category 4 storm just hours before it is set to strike Florida’s northwest coast.
Forecasters caution that this large storm could cause a severe storm surge in coastal regions and bring strong winds and heavy rain.
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Tallahassee is urging people who need to evacuate to take action. “Please, please, please take any evacuation orders seriously!” they said, calling the potential flooding situation “a nightmare.”
The hurricane was last reported around 110 miles west of Tampa, with winds reaching 130 mph as reported by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). It was speeding through the Gulf of Mexico, heading north-northeast at 23 mph.
Updated 9.26.24 at 4:52 p.m.: Hurricane Helene has further intensified into a category 3 storm with its sights set on Florida’s Big Bend today, states the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Helene was about 170 miles southwest of Tampa, with maximum winds of 120 mph and a central pressure of 959 mb, according to the NHC’s advisory at 2:30 p.m.
A hurricane warning remains in place for the Suwannee Valley. A tropical storm warning is active for the rest of northeast Florida. The NHC says that the risk of tornadoes is increasing this afternoon and will last into tonight. Expect windy conditions, dangerous rip currents, and hazardous marine conditions until Friday morning. There may be moderate tidal flooding and flash flooding today and tonight, with ongoing tidal flooding in the St. Johns River and rough surf through Friday. according to the NHC.
Wind impacts include hurricane-force gusts along the I-75 corridor, with tropical storm winds for the rest of northeast Florida, states the NHC. The center says the expect widespread downed trees and power lines, significant power outages, and damage to buildings and mobile homes in the Suwannee Valley. With the ground already saturated, tropical storm winds could easily bring down trees.
The NHC reinforces that impacts will continue through Friday morning, with the worst conditions expected this afternoon and overnight. There is a risk of tornadoes within Helene’s outer rainbands this evening. The NHC adds that rainfall totals could be also significant.
Coastal counties are most worried about the severe storm surge, which could hit 15-20 feet in certain places. Officials in Levy County have ordered everyone west of US Hwy. 19 to evacuate right away.
Updated 9.26.24 at 11:30 a.m.: The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has released its latest on Hurricane Helene, now almost a category 3 storm.
Helene was last located 255 miles southwest of Tampa, heading north at 14 mph, with winds reaching 100 mph. It is predicted to hit Florida’s Big Bend as a category 3 hurricane, posing a serious risk of severe damage.
“That speed is going to increase to over 20 miles per hour by the time Helene makes landfall later this evening,” Michael Brennan, the director of the NHC, stated during a live broadcast just after 11 a.m.
A storm surge warning is active for nearly the entire west coast of Florida, with rising waters described as “unsurvivable” potentially reaching heights of up to 20 feet in some areas.
The NHC says, “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.”
The NHC demonstrates in a video how strong winds from different hurricane categories can impact buildings, highlighting the potential damage.
Updated 9.26.24 at 8 a.m.: The 8 a.m. update by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) shows that Helene has become a category 2 hurricane, likely to reach major hurricane status before it hits land.
The NHC shares that Hurricane Helene now has maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, and the minimum pressure is down to 960 mb. Helene is currently moving north-northwest at 12 mph.
Updated 9.26.24 at 6 a.m.: The National Weather Service (NWS) says to expect Helene to strengthen and turn into a major hurricane later today before hitting the Big Bend area tonight.
The NWS stresses that this hurricane is quite large, and its effects will reach well beyond the official forecast area, impacting northeast Florida until Friday morning.
A hurricane warning is still active for the I-75 corridor, Suwannee Valley, and parts of inland southeast Georgia. A tropical storm warning is in place for the rest of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia.
The NWS warns that strong winds could reach hurricane levels. This may lead to many trees and power lines falling, resulting in major power outages and damage to buildings and mobile homes. With the ground already soaked, the NWS cautions that tropical storm winds could easily knock down trees.
The NWS reports that local effects will last until Friday morning, with the most severe conditions anticipated this afternoon and into the night.
A flash flood watch is still active for northeast Florida. The NWS reports that rainfall could reach two to four inches, with some areas seeing even more. Driving may be dangerous today and tonight due to heavy rain and possible flooding on the roads.
Hurricanes can sometimes create tornadoes. The NWS warns that a tornado watch is likely for our area today and tonight.
Updated 9.25.24 at 6:38 p.m.: In its latest update, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) says that a dangerous and deadly storm surge is expected in parts of the Florida Big Bend coast, with flooding possibly reaching up to 20 feet above ground.
The NHC expresses that destructive waves are also a concern. Additionally, there is a risk of life-threatening storm surge along the rest of the Florida west coast. Residents in these areas are instructed to listen to local officials and evacuate if instructed.
In Crystal River, storm surge is expected to reach more than 15 feet.
Hurricane Helene is expected to bring extremely strong winds when it hits the Florida Big Bend area late Thursday, asserts the NHC, reminding people to finish their safety preparations by early Thursday before the tropical storm conditions start. They predict that dangerous hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, will reach deep into northern Florida and southern Georgia late Thursday and into the night, where Hurricane Warnings are active.
The NHC also mentions that significant flash and urban flooding may occur in northwestern and northern Florida and the Southeast until Friday. There is a good chance of widespread minor to moderate river flooding, with some areas possibly experiencing major river flooding, they also say.
Updated 9.25.24 at 12:50 p.m.: The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports that Helene has developed into a hurricane and is expected to grow stronger and move quickly.
The NHC says that hurricane and tropical storm conditions are anticipated in the northeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico today, where warnings are active. Tropical storm conditions are currently affecting parts of western Cuba, and hurricane conditions may occur today in the areas under a hurricane watch according to the NHC.
The NHC indicates that Helene’s large size poses a risk of dangerous storm surges along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and the Big Bend. The Big Bend coast is expected to see the highest flooding, exceeding 10 feet.
Strong hurricane winds are predicted for parts of northern Florida and southern Georgia as Helene moves inland, says the NHC. Tropical storm conditions are set to start early Thursday. The NHC says that due to Helene’s quick movement, harmful and dangerous gusts are likely to reach deep into the southeastern United States, including the higher areas of the southern Appalachians.
HURRICANE WEATHER CENTER: All the information you need before, during, and after the storm
Helene is set to bring heavy rain to parts of the western Caribbean, which could lead to serious flooding in western Cuba and the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula by early Thursday, according to the NHC. There is a risk of dangerous flash and urban flooding in northwestern and northern Florida, the Southeast, southern Appalachians, and the upper Tennessee Valley from Wednesday to Friday. Minor to moderate river flooding is expected, with some areas possibly experiencing major river flooding, the NHC warns.
Updated 9.25.24 at 6:23 a.m.: Tropical Storm Helene is projected to be near hurricane strength sometime this morning.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that Helene will intensify and be near hurricane strength when it passes near the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula during the next several hours.
Helene is predicted to quickly strengthen and expand in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, as stated by the NHC. The agency also alerts about a dangerous storm surge affecting the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and the Big Bend region. The most severe flooding is anticipated along the Big Bend coast, and residents are urged to evacuate if local authorities recommend it.
Strong hurricane winds are expected in parts of the Big Bend coast, where a Hurricane Warning is in place. The NHC reports that tropical storm conditions should start in this area on Thursday.
Tropical Storm Helene is predicted to cause flooding in parts of Florida until Friday, according to the NHC.
Tropical Storm Helene had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph as of Wednesday at 5 a.m. The storm is moving northwest at 9 mph. The NHC predicts that Helene will strengthen into a major hurricane before reaching Florida’s west coast.
Original story, 9.24.24, at 2:41 p.m.: Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 has strengthened.
Tropical Storm Helene has formed near Cuba
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has reported that Tropical Storm Helene has developed in the northwest Caribbean. This information was shared in the 11 a.m. advisory.
The NHC reports that the center is located about 180 miles east-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico, and is moving at 12 mph. The agency indicates that the maximum sustained winds are approximately 45 mph, and it anticipates the storm will become a hurricane by Wednesday.
The NHC says that hurricane conditions may occur in the watch areas of Cuba and Mexico by early Wednesday. In the U.S. watch areas, the NHC notes that hurricane conditions could happen Wednesday night and early Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are anticipated by the NHC in the warning areas of Cuba and Mexico today. In the Lower Florida Keys, tropical storm conditions are expected to start on Wednesday, states the NHC, and they may also occur in the watch area of the Middle Florida Keys late Wednesday.
Watches, warnings, and what they mean
Storm Surge Watch: A Storm Surge Watch indicates that there could be dangerous flooding from water moving inland from the coast in the specified areas within the next 48 hours.
Hurricane Watch: A Hurricane Watch indicates that hurricane conditions could happen in the area. This watch is usually announced 48 hours before the expected arrival of tropical-storm-force winds, which can make it hard or unsafe to prepare outside.
Tropical Storm Watch: A Tropical Storm Watch indicates that tropical storm conditions could occur in the watch area, usually within the next 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Warning: A Tropical Storm Warning indicates that tropical storm conditions are likely to occur in the warning area within the next 36 hours.
For the latest sandbag locations, shelters, and closures please check our Hurricane Weather Center often for verified, updated information.