A hurricane warning is now in effect for Florida’s west coast from the Anclote River in Pasco County to Mexico Beach in Bay County, as Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall late Thursday.
A storm surge warning has also been issued from Flamingo to Indian Pass, and a tropical storm warning is in place for areas outside the hurricane warning zone.
Helene, currently a tropical storm, is predicted to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico. Landfall is expected in the Big Bend region of North Florida late Thursday.
Read: FEMA Provides Federal Disaster Assistance To Florida For Hurricane Helene
Watches and Warnings:
- Storm Surge Warning: Indian Pass to Flamingo, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor
- Hurricane Warning: Anclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida; Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico
- Hurricane Watch: Pinar del Rio, Cuba; Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
- Tropical Storm Warning: Dry Tortugas; Lower and Middle Florida Keys west of the Channel 5 Bridge; Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay; West of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County Line; Rio Lagartos to Tulum, Mexico; Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth, Cuba
- Tropical Storm Watch: Lake Okeechobee; Palm Beach/Martin County Line northward to the Savannah River
Impacts:
- Rainfall: Helene is expected to bring heavy rainfall, potentially leading to considerable flooding in western Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and the Yucatan Peninsula. The Southeastern U.S. could experience significant flash, urban, and river flooding, with possible landslides in the southern Appalachians.
- Storm Surge: Life-threatening storm surge is expected along Florida’s Gulf Coast, with potential inundation of up to 10-15 feet in some areas.
- Wind: Hurricane conditions are expected in Mexico on Wednesday and in the U.S. hurricane warning area late Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in Florida on Wednesday and spread northward through Thursday.
- Surf: Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected along the southern coast of Cuba, the Yucatan Peninsula, and will spread towards the west coast of Florida and the northeastern Gulf Coast.
Additional watches or warnings may be issued for portions of Florida and the southeastern U.S. tonight or on Wednesday. Residents are urged to monitor updates from their local National Weather Service office and take necessary precautions.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.