Tropical Storm Helene expected to strengthen rapidly

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Helene formed in the Caribbean on Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center said.

Helene’s winds are at 60 mph and are expected to rapidly intensify ahead of landfall, according to the NHC.

As of the 11 p.m. update, the tropical storm was located about 145 miles away from the western tip of Cuba. It was moving west-northwest at 10 mph.

Helene is expected to move across the northwestern Caribbean Sea overnight and move into the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday. It is expected to make landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida.

“The new forecast calls for major hurricane category three strength by Thursday morning,” Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Amanda Holly said. “The forecast cone did shift slightly west and no longer includes the Tampa Bay coastline, but the NHC urges caution that track shifts east or west are still possible as Helene continues to organize.”

Watches and warnings

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

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
• Rio Lagartos to Tulum, Mexico
• Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…

• Lake Okeechobee
• Palm Beach/Martin County Line northward to the Savannah River

The storm is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches of rainfall with a isolated areas of around 10 inches over the southeastern U.S., according to the NHC.

“The impacts will be far reaching from the center, especially on the eastern side with tropical rain bands bringing strong wind gusts to the coast and heavy rain,” Holly said. “Storm surge could be significant from Sarasota county up to the Big Bend Thursday night and Friday morning. Isolated tornadoes are also possible in the outer rain bands.”

Areas that are a part of the Storm Surge watch can expect:

• Ochlockonee River, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL: 10-15 feet
• Chassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, FL: 6-10 feet
• Indian Pass, FL to Ochlockonee River, FL: 5-10 feet
• Anclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL: 5-8 feet
• Tampa Bay: 5-8 feet
• Middle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL: 4-7 feet
• Englewood, FL to Bonita Beach, FL: 3-5 feet
• Charlotte Harbor: 3-5 feet

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