Topline
A storm system in the Caribbean Sea officially became Tropical Storm Helene late Tuesday morning and is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by the time it reaches the Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday, the National Hurricane Center warned.
NOAA
Key Facts
The storm—located about 150 south of the western tip of Cuba—has prompted a hurricane warning for the Florida coastline from Anclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida, and for Cabo Catoche to Tulum in Mexico.
A hurricane warning was issued Tuesday afternoon for the Florida Gulf Coast from Anclote River to Mexico Beach, along with the coast of Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Tulum.
The National Hurricane Center also issued a storm surge warning for Florida from Flamingo to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.
Much of the rest of Florida’s Gulf Coast is under either a tropical storm warning or hurricane watch, while a tropical storm watch was issued for much of Florida’s east coast and the coast of Georgia.
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, with higher gusts, and forecasters predict it will be near hurricane strength when it nears the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday.
The system is expected to be a major hurricane by the time it reaches the U.S. on Thursday, with winds of around 115 mph and rainfall between 4 and 8 inches expected, with isolated totals up to a foot, which “will likely result in areas of considerable flash and urban flooding.”
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Has Helene Caused Evacuation Orders In Florida?
Yes. As of Tuesday evening just before 5 p.m. EDT, the Florida Division of Emergency Management said mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders had been issued in 13 counties. Six counties had mandatory evacuation orders: Charlotte County, Franklin County, Gulf County, Manatee County, Pinellas County and Wakulla County. Almost the entire state is under a state of emergency declaration.
Is Helene Impacting Airlines?
Airlines have issued travel alerts for the storm and are letting potentially impacted passengers change their plans without fees, including United Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and Frontier.
What To Watch For
Forecasters warn Helene’s impacts could be felt well inland, due to an unusually large wind field and heavy rain, which could bring “the risk of landslides across the southern Appalachians.”
Crucial Quote
“There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Florida Big Bend,” the National Hurricane Center noted Tuesday. “The highest inundation levels are expected along the coast of the Florida Big Bend. “Residents in those areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so.”
Key Background
Helene is the eighth named tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and comes weeks after Francine made landfall as a Category 2 in Louisiana on Sept. 11. The only tropical storm to form in between the two, named Gordon, lost its strength in the Atlantic Ocean on Friday. Forecasters this year predicted the busiest storm season (from June 1 to Nov. 30) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has ever forecasted—up to 25 named storms and 13 hurricanes—but the season hasn’t been as active as predicted so far.
Further Reading
ForbesHurricane Helene: Airlines Issue Travel Alerts As Storm Heads For FloridaBy Suzanne Rowan KelleherForbesGovernment Forecasters Issue Most Dire Hurricane Season Prediction In Their History—Here’s WhyBy Brian BushardForbesHurricane Francine Makes Landfall In Louisiana As Category 2By Mary Whitfill Roeloffs