Helene Strengthening As It Heads Toward Florida Coast

Helene's large size will likely cause an extensive area to be affected by the storm's hazards.

Current Position/Movement:

LOCATION...19.9N 85.5W

ABOUT 100 MI...160 KM ESE OF COZUMEL MEXICO

ABOUT 145 MI...230 KM SSW OF THE WESTERN TIP OF CUBA

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60 MPH...95 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 300 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...991 MB...29.27 INCHES

Current Watches and Warnings:

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Lake Okeechobee.

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued from the Palm Beach/Martin

County Line northward to the Flagler/Volusia County Line.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...

* Indian Pass southward to Flamingo

* Tampa Bay

* Charlotte Harbor

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...

* Anclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida

* Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico including Cozumel

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...

* Cuban province of Pinar del Rio

* Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* 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

* Palm Beach/Martin County Line northward to the Flagler/Volusia

County Line

* Lake Okeechobee

* Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, Mexico

* Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...

* Flagler/Volusia County Line northward to the Savannah River

Strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to become a

hurricane later tonight or early Wednesday. The storm is forecast

to rapidly strengthen over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and become a

major hurricane on Thursday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km)

from the center.