Parts of Florida's Gulf Coast are now under a hurricane warning as the storm strengthens

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

Tropical Storm Helene strengthened over the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday afternoon.

NOAA

Key data

The storm, located about 150 miles south of the western tip of Cuba, has issued a hurricane warning for the Florida coast from the Anclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida, and for Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico.

On Tuesday afternoon, a hurricane warning was issued 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 also issued a storm surge warning for Florida from Flamingo to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

Much of the rest of Florida's Gulf Coast is under either a tropical storm warning or hurricane watch, while much of Florida's east coast and coastal Georgia are under a tropical storm warning.

The storm reached maximum sustained winds of 80 km/h, with stronger gusts, at 5 p.m. Tuesday, and meteorologists predict it will reach near hurricane force as it approaches the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday.

The storm is expected to develop into a major hurricane by the time it reaches the USA on Thursday. It is expected to have wind speeds of around 185 km/h and rainfall amounts of between 10 and 20 centimetres, with rainfall reaching up to 30 centimetres in isolated areas. “Significant flash flooding and urban flooding will likely occur in some areas.”

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Did Helene trigger evacuation orders in Florida?

Yes. Just before 5 p.m. EDT Tuesday evening, 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 a state of emergency.

Does Helene have an impact on airlines?

Airlines including United Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and Frontier have issued travel advisories due to the storm and are allowing potentially affected passengers to rebook their plans free of charge.

What you should pay attention to

Meteorologists warn that the effects of Helene could be felt far inland due to an unusually large wind field and heavy rainfall. There is “a risk of landslides in the southern Appalachians.”

Key quote

“The entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Big Bend is under a threat of life-threatening storm surge,” the National Hurricane Center said Tuesday. “The highest flood levels are expected along the coast of the Florida Big Bend. Residents in these areas should follow the advice of local authorities and evacuate when instructed to do so.”

Important background

Helene is the eighth named tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and comes weeks after Francine made landfall in Louisiana on Sept. 11 as a Category 2. The only tropical storm that formed between the two, named Gordon, lost strength in the Atlantic on Friday. Meteorologists predicted this year the strongest storm season (from June 1 to Nov. 30) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has ever forecast — as many as 25 named storms and 13 hurricanes — but the season so far has not been as active as predicted.

More information

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