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    • Storm now forecast to hit Florida as Category 4
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    Storm now forecast to hit Florida as Category 4

    Vaseline Posted on

    Topline

    Hurricane Helene strengthened on Wednesday, with meteorologists predicting the storm will be a Category 4 when it hits Florida tomorrow. The National Hurricane Center urged that “preparations to protect life and property” be “completed urgently.”

    Key Facts

    Hurricane Helene, which is located about 460 miles (740 kilometers) southwest of Tampa, had strengthened to a maximum sustained wind speed of 85 mph (137 km/h), the National Hurricane Center reported at 5 p.m. EDT.

    A hurricane warning has been issued for the Gulf Coast of Florida from the Anclote River to Mexico Beach. A storm surge warning is also in effect from Mexico Beach to Flamingo, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. A hurricane warning is also in effect from Cabo Catoche to Tulum, including Cozumel, Mexico.

    Helene’s sustained winds are expected to increase to 130 mph (209 km/h) over the next 24 hours, equivalent to a Category 4 storm, before the storm makes landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area on Wednesday evening, possibly just south of Tallahassee.

    Storm surge is expected across much of Florida’s Gulf Coast, peaking at 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) between Carrabelle and the Suwannee River, while Tampa Bay could see a 5 to 8-foot (1.5 to 2.5 meters) surge, meteorologists said.

    A tropical storm warning is in effect for much of Florida’s Gulf Coast, as well as the Florida Keys and the state’s entire Atlantic coast, plus the coastlines of Georgia and South Carolina.

    Warnings extend far inland: Tropical storm warnings extend north to cities including Atlanta and Asheville, North Carolina, due to predicted “far inland penetration of strong winds,” while significant rainfall could cause “catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and urban flooding, including landslides” in the southern Appalachians.

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    How much rain is expected for Helene?

    Two to 12 inches of rain are expected in parts of the southeastern US affected by the storm, with isolated amounts up to 18 inches, which “will likely result in catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash flooding and urban flooding.”

    Did Helene Cause Evacuation Orders in Florida?

    Yes. Hillsborough County issued a mandatory evacuation of all mobile and manufactured homes as of 9 a.m. Wednesday. Tuesday night, just before 5 p.m. EDT, 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 was declared under a state of emergency.

    Does Helene have influence on airlines?

    Tampa International Airport will close to the public at 2 a.m. Thursday in anticipation of Hurricane Helene and will reopen once the storm passes. Flights will operate as normal on Wednesday. Airlines have issued travel warnings ahead of the storm and are allowing potentially affected passengers to change their plans without penalty, including United Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and Frontier.

    Crucial quote

    “Catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend coast,” the National Hurricane Center noted. “Preparations to protect lives and property should be completed early Thursday morning.”

    Main background

    Helene is the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, coming just weeks after Francine made landfall in Louisiana on Sept. 11 as a Category 2 storm. Forecasters had predicted this year would be the busiest storm season (June 1 to Nov. 30) ever predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with up to 25 named storms and 13 hurricanes. But the season has not been as active as predicted so far.

    Read more

    ForbesHurricane Helene: Airlines issue travel warnings as storm heads toward FloridaBy means of Suzanne Rowan KelleherForbesGovernment forecasters give the most dire hurricane season forecast in history — here’s whyBy means of Brian BushardForbesHurricane Francine makes landfall in Louisiana as Category 2By means of Mary Whitfill Roeloffs

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