Tampa city leaders provide storm update as conditions worsen amid Hurricane Helene

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa city leaders will provide an update on Hurricane Helene Thursday afternoon as the storm passes by the region.

The city urges residents to remain indoors and take precautions as conditions worsen throughout the day.

Mayor Jane Castor, Fire Chief Barbara Tripp, and Police Chief Lee Bercaw provided updates during the noon news conference.

Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene is now a Category 3 Hurricane. Moving northward in the Gulf of Mexico, Helene will bring “catastrophic” storm surge and wind to parts of Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of the 2 p.m. update, Helene is located 170 miles southwest of Tampa and 205 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola. It’s moving at 16 mph.

Maximum sustained winds are 120 mph.

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