HELENE IS A DANGEROUS AND LARGE MAJOR HURRICANE… …DEVASTATING HURRICANE WINDS AND CATASTROPHIC STORM SURGE EXPECTED TO IMPACT FLORIDA’S BIG BEND REGION THIS EVENING…

Summary at 5:00 PM EDT (2100 UTC):

  • Location: 27.9°N, 84.6°W
    • About 130 miles (205 km) west of Tampa, Florida
    • About 175 miles (280 km) south of Tallahassee, Florida
  • Maximum sustained winds: 125 mph (205 km/h)
  • Movement: North-northeast at 23 mph (37 km/h)
  • Minimum central pressure: 951 MB (28.09 inches)

Watches and Warnings in Effect:

Storm Surge Warning:

  • Mexico Beach eastward to Flamingo
  • Tampa Bay
  • Charlotte Harbor

Hurricane Warning:

  • Anclote River to Mexico Beach

Hurricane Watch:

  • Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

Tropical Storm Warning:

  • The Florida Keys, including the Dry Tortugas
  • Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
  • West of Mexico Beach to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line
  • Lake Okeechobee

Discussion and Outlook:

Hurricane Helene, currently 130 miles west of Tampa, continues its rapid approach toward Florida’s Big Bend. With maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, Helene is a Category 3 hurricane. However, it is expected to intensify into a dangerous Category 4 before landfall this evening.

As the storm moves north-northeast at 23 mph, damaging winds, catastrophic storm surge, and torrential rainfall are forecast to impact the Big Bend area and much of the Southeastern U.S. through Friday and Saturday.

Key Hazards:

Storm Surge:
Life-threatening storm surge flooding is expected, with water levels potentially reaching 15–20 feet above ground in parts of the Florida coastline.

Winds:
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles, with tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 310 miles from the center. Gusts as high as 69 mph have already been recorded near Venice, Florida.

Rainfall:
The Southeastern U.S. could see 6 to 12 inches of rain, with isolated totals of 20 inches. Flash flooding and landslides are significant concerns, particularly across the southern Appalachians.

Tornadoes:
Tornadoes are possible across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and southern Virginia through Friday.

Residents in affected areas should complete preparations immediately, follow local evacuation orders, and stay tuned to local weather advisories for updates. Your safety is our priority.