Hurricane watches and warnings have been issued across Florida as Tropical Storm Helene continues to intensify, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
Time is running out to finalize preparations for what is expected to become a major hurricane by the time it reaches landfall on Thursday.
➤ Track Tropical Storm Helene with Spaghetti Models
➤ Get Weather Alerts via Text: Sign up to receive storm and weather updates by location
Current forecasts indicate that Helene will strengthen rapidly as it moves north through the Gulf of Mexico. Winds could reach up to 120 mph over the next 36 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center, potentially upgrading Helene to a Category 3 hurricane.
AccuWeather meteorologists predict that Helene could intensify further to Category 4 strength as it encounters the Gulf’s exceptionally warm waters, with maximum sustained winds between 130 and 156 mph. The storm is expected to make landfall along the northeastern coast of the Gulf of Mexico late Thursday or Thursday night, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The most likely area for landfall is along the eastern part of the Florida Panhandle, possibly in the Big Bend region, late Thursday evening, according to AccuWeather.
However, a potential shift in the track toward the southeast over the Florida Peninsula could result in an earlier landfall on Thursday.
"Everyone along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region should be prepared for hurricane conditions," warned AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva, noting that this system could become the strongest U.S. landfalling hurricane of the 2024 season.
AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter echoed this sentiment: "This storm has the potential to be one of the most significant events of the 2024 hurricane season. It may be the defining storm of the year."
Tropical Storm Helene is expected to grow even larger before landfall, meaning its effects could be felt hundreds of miles away from its center.
“This could be a large hurricane with life-threatening storm surge and flooding rains far from the landfall point,” Porter added.
The National Hurricane Center also emphasized that the impacts of storm surge, wind, and rain will likely extend well beyond the center and the forecast cone, especially on the storm’s eastern side.
Additionally, Helene’s rapid forward speed as it crosses the coast could result in strong winds penetrating farther inland across the southeastern U.S. after landfall.
In response to the looming threat, Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded the state of emergency on Tuesday to include 61 of Florida’s 67 counties, covering the entire Florida Panhandle.
The counties under the state of emergency are: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.
Post a Comment