In a hurry? Here'swhat's happening with Hurricane Helene in less than a minute. Want more details?
Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 130 mpg, bore down on the Florida coast Thursday evening toward landfall, late Thursday afternoon, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
➤Spaghetti models for Hurricane Helene
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Experts have been urging residents for days to prepare for the large storm, which is expected to bring several life-threatening impacts not only to Florida but hundreds of miles away from where it makes landfall. Dangerous storm surge, flooding rainfall, destructive winds and a threat for tornadoes are all possible. Expect power outages that could last for days.
Spaghetti models for Hurricane Helene
Special note about spaghetti models:Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.
➤Spaghetti models for Hurricane Helene
Radar images of Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene: What you need to know
➤Live updates on Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene impacts expected in Tallahassee, Florida
"Catastrophic impacts are expected across our region from high winds, catastrophic and life-threatening storm surge on the coast of Apalachee Bay, and considerable flash flooding from heavy rainfall," according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee.
➤ WeatherTiger: A cataclysmic blow that will likely be among Florida's worst breaks down Helene's track, impacts
"A few tornadoes are possible along and to the right of the track.
Surge: "There is a danger of catastrophic and unsurvivable storm surge for Apalachee Bay. Storm surge may begin to arrive as early as mid-day today ahead of the winds. This forecast is a nightmare surge scenario for Apalachee Bay. Please take any evacuation orders seriously!"
Wind: "Helene will make landfall along the Florida Big Bend coast this evening as a Major Hurricane. While exact impacts will be heavily dependent on the track, expect catastrophic wind damage across the Big Bend and into southern Georgia.
Rain: "Widespread heavy rainfall is expected, with additional rainfall of 5 to 10 inches and local amounts to 15 inches in the forecast. Flash flooding is expected, and considerable flash flooding is likely," the Weather Service said.
Tornadoes: "While not the highest threat with this system, a few tornadoes will be possible along and east of the eventual track.
Power outages: "Widespread and prolonged power outages, damage to critical infrastructure, catastrophic damage to the trees and powerlines, widespread inaccessibility due to blocked roads, and damage to well-built structures will all be likely, particularly close to and east of the track. Power outages will likely last days, if not weeks."
Could impacts from Helene be felt in Southwest Florida?
Widespread tropical impacts are expected across West-Central and Southwest Florida today, including:
- Storm surge: Life threatening storm surge is expected today into Friday. Potential peak surge amounts are 15 to 20 feet from Chassahowitzka to Suwannee River, 15 to 20 feet from Apalachicola to Carrabelle and the Suwannee River to Chassahowitzka, 8 to 12 feet from Chassahowitzka to Anclote River, 6 to 10 feet from Indian Pass to Apalachicola, 5 to 8 feet from Middle of Longboat Key to Anclote River, 4 to 7 feet from Anclote River to Middle of Longboat Key, 5 to 8 feet for Tampa Bay, and 4 to 7 feet from Middle of Longboat Key to Englewood. Elevated water levels are possible through Friday.
- Rain: Flooding rain threat will run from today through this weekend with rainfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts up to 18 inches possible. Even after Helene pulls away, additional rounds of heavy rainfall are expected this weekend.
- Wind: Hurricane and tropical storm force winds will be possible today and tonight with the highest probabilities along the coast.
- Tornadoes: Several tornadoes are possible today and tonight across the area.
Weather radar for Tallahassee, Florida
Weather radar for Florida West Coast, Sarasota
NWS radar Loop from Tampa Bay Area, FL
What impacts are possible in Florida from Hurricane Helene?
Wind."At landfall Thursday evening — between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. EDT — Helene will have maximum sustained winds of 130-135 mph, with much stronger gusts to at least 140 mph and an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 160 mph," according to AccuWeather.
Rain. "A tremendous amount of rain will fall in northern Florida, with rain heavy enough to cause travel problems and lead to minor flooding in southern and eastern Florida and the potential for catastrophic flooding in northern Florida, especially the eastern part of the panhandle, with a general 8-12 inches of rain forecast," AccuWeather said.
Storm surge."AccuWeather meteorologists anticipate a storm surge up to the height of a two-story building, or 15-20 feet, Thursday night. At this height, some single-story buildings along the coast may be completely underwater. A significant and dangerous storm surge will extend well to the south and east of where the eye comes ashore. For example, a peak storm surge of 6 to perhaps 10 feet can occur on Thursday night in portions of Tampa Bay."
Tornadoes."Every hurricane is different, but Helene has the potential to spawn multiple tornadoes, especially to the east of its track."
Power outages. "The combination of pouring rain, increasingly wet soil and strong winds will lead to the risk of falling trees, broken tree limbs and widespread power outages."
Watches, warnings issued across Florida
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declares state of emergency
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 counties.
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