All eyes are on Hurricane Helene as it was upgraded to a major Category 4 storm ahead of its expected landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast on Thursday evening, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to bring life-threatening rain, floods and storm surge to a large portion of Florida, and a number of hurricane and tropical storm warnings are in effect across coastal areas of the state. Here’s a look at what to expect.
Where is Hurricane Helene now?
In a Thursday evening advisory, the NHC said Helene had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph and was located about 80 miles west-southwest of Cedar Key and 115 miles south of Tallahassee. It is moving northeast at 23 mph.
How will Hurricane Helene impact Florida?
Now an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm, with wind speeds of 130 mph, Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area tonight. And while weakening is expected after it lands, the storm’s fast forward speed “will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians,” per the NHC.
Below are current watches and warnings in effect for Florida:
A storm surge warning is in effect for almost all of Florida’s west coast, where surging could reach as high at 20 feet. “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion” in anticipation of the storm’s arrival, the NHC advises.
Gov. Ron DeSantis had declared a state of emergency for 61 of the state’s 67 counties. This does not include Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. See the full declaration here. This order had also activated the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard.
A tornado watch has also been issued for much of Florida, which will be in effect through early Friday morning.
When will the storm be over?
The storm is expected to hit Florida’s panhandle Thursday night into Friday morning, and will likely dissipate over Georgia.
You can check for updates to the latest forecast and any watches and warnings amid Hurricane Helene at hurricanes.gov. And for more on how to stay safe during a hurricane, click here.
Stay safe, Florida!