Article first published: Wednesday, Sep. 25, 2024, 5 a.m. ET
Article last updated: Wednesday, Sep. 25, 2024, 8 a.m. ET
As per the National Hurricane Center's 8 am Wednesday update, Tropical Storm Helene is 60 miles east-northeast of Cozumel Mexico and 100 miles west-southwest of the Western Tip of Cuba, with maximum sustained wind of 70 mph. It’s moving 9 mph to the northwest.
"... the center of Helene will pass near the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula this morning, move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on later today and Thursday, and reach the Big Bend coast of Florida late Thursday." according to meteorologists. "Additional strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to become a hurricane later today." They also said "The storm is forecast to rapidly strengthen over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and become a major hurricane on Thursday."
YESTERDAY (Tuesday):
Yesterday, the weather system gained sufficient intensity to be named Helene when the potential tropical cyclone upgraded to a tropical storm with winds of 45 mph.
A storm surge warning and a hurricane warning have been issued by forecasters for the gulf coast of Florida.
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
The Tropical Storm Warning has been extended northward to Altamaha Sound, Georgia.
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
- All of the Florida Keys
- The Florida west coast from Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
- West of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County Line
- The Florida east coast from Flamingo northward to Altamaha Sound,
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- Georgia and South Carolina coast north of Altamaha Sound to the South Santee River
Georgia * Lake Okeechobee * Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, Mexico * Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth
A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within the next 36 hours.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area.
Additional watches or warnings may be required later today.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:
RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Helene is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches over western Cuba, the Cayman Islands and the northeast Yucatan Peninsula, with isolated totals around 12 inches. This rainfall brings a risk of considerable flooding.
Over the Southeastern U.S., Helene is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches with isolated totals around 15 inches. This rainfall will likely result in areas of considerable flash and urban flooding, with areas of significant river flooding. Landslides are possible in areas of steep terrain in the southern Appalachians.
For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Helene, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml? Rainqpf and the Flash Flood Risk graphic at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml? Ero.
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...
Ochlockonee River, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL...10-15 ft Chassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, FL...6-10 ft Indian Pass, FL to Ochlockonee River, FL...5-10 ft Anclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL...5-8 ft Tampa Bay...5-8 ft Middle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL...4-7 ft Englewood, FL to Flamingo, FL...3-5 ft Charlotte Harbor...3-5 ft
For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation, please see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml? PeakSurge.
Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds along the southern coast of Pinar del Rio, Cuba, including the Isle of Youth.
Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above ground level in areas of onshore winds within the warning area along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.
WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning area in Mexico during the next several hours, with tropical storm conditions already ongoing. Hurricane conditions are expected within the U.S. hurricane warning area late Thursday. Hurricane conditions are possible for the western portion of Cuba later today. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in the warning area in Cuba during the next several hours. Tropical storm conditions are expected in southern Florida later today and spreading northward through Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the tropical storm watch area beginning Thursday and Thursday night.
TORNADOES: A tornado or two may occur tonight over parts of the western Florida peninsula and southern Alabama. The risk of tornadoes will increase on Thursday, expanding across Florida and into parts of Georgia and South Carolina.
SURF: Swells generated by Helene will affect the southern coast of Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico during the next couple of days. Swells will spread northward toward the west coast of Florida and the northeastern Gulf Coast later today and Thursday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Source: National Hurricane Center
This article was generated by the South Carolina Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes information from the National Hurricane Center and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom. We are experimenting with this and other new ways of providing more useful content to our readers and subscribers. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com .
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