Top row
The National Hurricane Center warned that Tropical Storm Helene in the Caribbean Sea was “near hurricane strength” as of Wednesday morning and is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by the time it reaches the Gulf Coast on Thursday.
Tropical Storm Helene strengthened over the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday afternoon.
Important Facts
The storm — which is located about 50 miles southeast of Cancun — prompted hurricane warnings to be issued for coastal Florida and tropical storm warnings and watches extended north to Georgia and South Carolina.
Hurricane warnings were issued Wednesday morning along Florida's Gulf Coast from the Anclote River to Mexico Beach, and along the Mexican coast from Cabo Catoche to Tulum and Cozumel.
Tropical storm warnings have been issued for the Florida Keys, Tampa Bay and the east coast of Florida from Flamingo northward to Altamaha Sound, Georgia.
The tropical storm warning extends from the Georgia and South Carolina coasts north of Altamaha Sound to the South Santee River.
The National Hurricane Center also issued a storm surge warning for Florida from Flamingo to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.
The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and higher wind gusts as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, and forecasters expect it to rapidly strengthen over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
The storm is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by the time it reaches the U.S. on Thursday, packing winds of up to 120 mph and rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated amounts of up to 15 inches possible, “potentially leading to flash flooding in some areas and widespread flooding in urban areas.”
Get Forbes breaking news text alerts: We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know about the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text “ALERT” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up Here,
Are there evacuation orders in Florida due to Helene?
Yes. Just before 5 p.m. EDT Tuesday, the Florida Division of Emergency Management said mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders had been issued in 13 counties. Six counties had mandatory evacuation orders: Charlotte County, Franklin County, Gulf County, Manatee County, Pinellas County and Wakulla County. Nearly the entire state is under a state of emergency.
Is Helen affecting airlines?
Airlines that have issued travel alerts for the storm and are allowing potentially affected travelers to change their plans without fee include United Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and Frontier.
What to see
Forecasters warned that Helene's effects could also be felt inland due to its unusually large wind field and heavy rainfall, “which could pose a risk for landslides across the southern Appalachians.”
Important Quotes
“Life-threatening storm surge is expected along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Big Bend,” the National Hurricane Center said. “The Florida Big Bend coast will experience the worst flooding. People living in those areas should follow advice provided by local officials and evacuate if told to do so.”
Main Background
Helene is the eighth named tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and comes just weeks after Francine struck Louisiana as a Category 2 on Sept. 11. The only tropical storm to form between the two, named Gordon, lost strength over the Atlantic Ocean on Friday. This year, forecasters predicted the busiest hurricane season (June 1 through Nov. 30) ever forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — 25 named storms and 13 hurricanes — but the season has not been as active as predicted so far.
Further reading