Short on time? This story is for you. It’s a condensed text version of what’s happening with Tropical Storm Helene, which is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane before making landfall in Florida on Thursday, September 26. Click here for more information.
Tropical Storm Helene is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane
Tropical Storm Helene is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane, with sustained winds of 120 mph (193 km/h), before making landfall on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
AccuWeather meteorologists predict the system could become a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico.
➤ Spaghetti Models for Tropical Storm Helene
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Warnings and Alerts Issued for Florida
The following warnings have been issued since 5:00 AM:
Hurricane Warning:
Hurricane Warning:
Storm surge warning:
Tropical Storm Warning:
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All Florida Keys
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Florida’s West Coast from Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
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West of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County border
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The east coast of Florida from Flamingo north to the mouth of the St. Mary’s River
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Lake Okeechobee
Will Tropical Storm Helene Become a Hurricane?
Yes. All forecasts are for Tropical Storm Helene to rapidly strengthen into a hurricane today, September 25, as it approaches the Gulf of Mexico.
Winds are forecast to reach 120 mph before it makes landfall Thursday night, making it a Category 3 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said. AccuWeather forecasters predict Helene could become a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, with sustained winds of 130-156 mph.
Where is Tropical Storm Helene expected to make landfall?
The hurricane is expected to make landfall along the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday evening or Thursday night, according to the National Hurricane Center.
According to AccuWeather, the storm is most likely to make landfall somewhere along the eastern portion of the Florida Panhandle, perhaps in the Big Bend area, late Thursday evening.
Will Tropical Storm Helene Hit Florida?
Yes. Expected effects include:
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Life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida peninsula and Florida Big Bend.
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Damaging hurricane-force winds are expected along parts of Florida’s Big Bend coast,
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Significant and potentially life-threatening flooding and inundation are expected in parts of Florida.
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Rainfall can range from 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 centimeters), with occasional amounts of around 15 inches (38 centimeters).
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Rough surf, with waves expanding northward toward the west coast of Florida and the northeastern Gulf Coast today and Thursday.
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Tonight, one or two tornadoes are possible over parts of the western Florida peninsula. The risk of tornadoes increases Thursday and expands across Florida.
Don’t focus on the center of the storm. It is extremely large, meaning its impact will be felt hundreds of miles away, especially on the eastern side.
➤ For more details on the impact and timing of the impact in Florida
Florida Governor DeSantis Expands State of Emergency
Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency Monday afternoon for 41 of Florida’s 67 counties, including the entire Florida Panhandle.
On Tuesday morning, he increased the number of provinces to 61.
The counties under a state of emergency are: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton and Washington.
What should you do if you live in Florida?
➤ How to Prepare for a Hurricane
Complete your hurricane preparations. If you are advised to evacuate, do so before conditions worsen. Monitor weather updates. Have a hurricane plan and supplies.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida hurricane: Impacts, timing, landfall, wind and storm surge
