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    • Parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast now under hurricane warning as storm strengthens
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    Parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast now under hurricane warning as storm strengthens

    Vaseline Posted on

    Topline

    A storm system in the Caribbean Sea officially strengthened into Tropical Storm Helene late Tuesday morning and is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by the time the storm reaches Florida’s Gulf Coast on Thursday, the National Hurricane Center warned.

    Key Facts

    The storm, which is located about 500 feet (150 meters) south of the western tip of Cuba, has prompted a hurricane warning for the Florida coastline from the Anclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida, and for Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico.

    A hurricane warning was issued Tuesday afternoon for the Gulf Coast of Florida from the Anclote River to Mexico Beach, and for the coast of Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Tulum.

    The National Hurricane Center has also issued a storm surge warning for Florida from Flamingo to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

    Much of the rest of the Gulf Coast of Florida is under a tropical storm warning or hurricane warning. Much of the east coast of Florida and the Georgia coast is under a tropical storm warning.

    The storm reached sustained winds of up to 50 mph (80 kph) by 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, with higher gusts possible. Forecasters predict the storm will be about hurricane-sized when it approaches the Yucatán Peninsula on Wednesday.

    The system is expected to become a major hurricane by the time it reaches the U.S. on Thursday, with winds of around 115 mph (185 km/h) and expected rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters), with isolated amounts of up to 12 inches (30 centimeters), which “will likely result in areas of significant flash flooding and urban flooding.”

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    Did Helene Cause Evacuation Orders in Florida?

    Yes. 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 is under martial law.

    Does Helene have influence on airlines?

    Airlines have issued travel warnings for the storm, offering potentially affected passengers the opportunity to change their travel plans at no charge. These include United Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and Frontier.

    What to look out for

    Forecasters warn that Helene’s effects could be felt far inland, due to an unusually large wind field and heavy rainfall, which could pose “the risk of landslides in the southern Appalachians.”

    Crucial quote

    “There is a risk of life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida peninsula and Florida Big Bend,” the National Hurricane Center noted Tuesday. “The highest flood levels are expected along the Florida Big Bend coast. “Residents in those areas should follow the advice of local officials and evacuate if directed to do so.”

    Main background

    Helene is the eighth named tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, coming weeks after Francine made landfall in Louisiana on Sept. 11 as a Category 2 storm. The lone tropical storm that formed between the two hurricanes, Gordon, weakened in the Atlantic on Friday. Forecasters had predicted the busiest storm season (June 1 through Nov. 30) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has ever predicted this year — 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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