Storm reaches Category 3 before landfall in Florida - here's the latest

Topline

Hurricane Helene strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane on Thursday before forecasters expect a devastating landfall in Florida. The National Hurricane Center called for “preparations to protect life and property” to be “quickly completed.”

Hurricane Helene strengthened over the Gulf of Mexico as it neared landfall in Florida.

NOAA

Important facts

Hurricane Helene, located about 170 miles west-southwest of Tampa, strengthened and reached maximum sustained winds of 120 mph as of the National Hurricane Center's 3 p.m. EDT update.

A hurricane warning has been issued for Florida's Gulf Coast from the Anclote River to Mexico Beach. A storm surge warning is also in effect from Mexico Beach to Flamingo, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

Helene is expected to make landfall Thursday evening in the Big Bend area of Florida, possibly south of Tallahassee, but the impact of the massive hurricane will reach far inland, with forecasters predicting “widespread penetration of strong winds across parts of the country.” “Southeastern United States expects strong gusts over higher terrain in the southern Appalachians.”

“Catastrophic and deadly” storm surges are expected for parts of Florida's Gulf Coast, with a peak of 15 to 20 feet forecast between Carrabelle and the Suwannee River, while a storm surge of 5 to 8 feet is expected in Tampa Bay, forecasters said, with “destructive Waves” are possible as the rise progresses.

Much of Florida's Gulf Coast, as well as the Florida Keys and the entire Atlantic coast of the state, as well as the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina, are under a tropical storm warning.

The warnings extend well inland – tropical storm warnings extend north, covering cities like Atlanta and Asheville, North Carolina, and heavy rains could lead to “catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and urban flooding, including landslides” in the southern Appalachians.

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What is a storm surge?

According to the National Weather Service, a storm surge is the “unusual increase in water produced by a storm” that exceeds the normal high tide. Surges are caused by strong onshore winds from a tropical storm or hurricane, and storm surge from tropical cyclones is the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths, the National Hurricane Center said.

How much storm surge is expected?

A storm surge warning is in effect for almost all of Florida's Gulf Coast. In its 2 p.m. update, the NHC warned that the flood could cause water to reach 15 to 20 feet from Carrabelle, Florida, to the Suwannee River; 10-15 feet from Apalachicola to Carrabelle and Suwannee River to Chassahowitzka; 8-12 feet from Chassahowitzka to Anclote River; and 6-10 feet from Indian Pass to Apalachicola. Storm surges of 5 to 8 feet and 3 to 5 feet are expected in Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor, respectively.

How much rain is Helene expected to bring?

Parts of the southeastern U.S. impacted by the storm are expected to receive 6 to 12 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of up to 20 inches, which is “likely to result in catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding, as well as significant river flooding.”

Did Helene cause evacuation orders in Florida?

Yes. As of Thursday afternoon, the Florida Division of Emergency Management said mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders had been issued in dozens of counties, including 22 mandatory evacuation orders.

Does Helene influence the airlines?

Tampa International Airport closed to the public at 2 a.m. Thursday in anticipation of Hurricane Helene and will reopen when the storm passes. Airlines including United Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and Frontier have issued travel warnings because of the storm and are allowing potentially affected passengers to change their plans without penalty.

Crucial quote

“A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend coast,” the National Hurricane Center noted. “Preparations to protect lives and property should be completed by early Thursday.”

Important background

Helene is the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and comes weeks after Francine made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 on September 11th. Forecasters predicted this year's busiest storm season (from June 1 to November 30) the Atmospheric Administration has ever predicted – up to 25 named storms and 13 hurricanes – but the season so far has not been as active as predicted.