Hurricane Helene strengthens and could reach category 4 before making landfall in Florida.

Hurricane Helene has strengthened in recent hours as it moves over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to reach category 4 before making landfall on the night of this Thursday on the northern coast of Florida, in the area known as the Big Bend.

At 5:00 a.m. (local time), Helene was moving north-northeast at 19 km/h and was about 560 km southwest of Tampa and 625 km south of Apalachicola, with maximum sustained winds reaching 150 km/h.

In the early hours of this Thursday, the hurricane was unleashing intense rains and strong winds over areas of southern Florida and Cuba.

The NHC warns that Helene is a large tropical system with the potential to cause severe damage in Florida, where it is expected to bring torrential rains, highly destructive winds, and dangerous storm surges.

Experts indicate that there is a growing risk of potentially deadly storm surges and damaging hurricane winds along parts of the northern and northeastern Gulf coast, including the Florida Panhandle and parts of the west coast of Florida.

However, in South Florida, the impact of the phenomenon will also be felt, accompanied by an extensive band of rain and winds.

Current alerts and warnings

Cyclone surge warning: It is in effect from Playa México to Flamingo, covering Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. This means that dangerous flooding is expected due to rising waters in the next 36 hours.

Hurricane warning: In effect from Río Anclote to Playa México, indicating that hurricane conditions are expected within the next 36 hours.

Tropical storm warning: In effect for the Florida Keys, including the Dry Tortugas, as well as from Flamingo to the Anclote River and several areas of western Florida and northern Cuba (including the Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Río, and the Isle of Youth).

Expected impacts

Cyclonic surge: Helene is expected to cause dangerous flooding in coastal areas due to rising sea levels. The most affected areas could experience water level increases of between 5 and 20 feet, depending on the location. In southern Pinar del Río, Cuba, the water could rise between 2 and 4 feet.

Winds: Areas under hurricane warnings are forecasted to experience destructive winds of up to 150 km/h, with gusts that could reach higher speeds. Tropical storm-force winds are already affecting the Florida Keys and are expected to extend northward along the Gulf Coast.

Heavy rains: The precipitation associated with Helene could cause accumulations of between 6 and 18 inches in the southeastern United States, with a risk of flash floods and urban flooding. In Cuba, between 4 and 12 inches of rain are expected, which could also result in significant flooding.

Tornado risk: The risk of tornadoes will increase this afternoon and is expected to mainly affect northern Florida, southeast Georgia, and the Carolinas.

Local authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders in several vulnerable areas of Florida. Residents in the affected zones are advised to follow the instructions of local officials and quickly complete any preparations to protect life and property.

Conditions will deteriorate rapidly as Helene approaches the coast, so it is crucial that evacuations and preparations are completed before the end of the day.

Tropical storm Helene formed in the northwest Caribbean Sea on September 24, 2024, with forecasts indicating a rapid intensification into a hurricane.

The next day, authorities issued a tropical storm warning for Miami-Dade and three other counties in Florida due to the forecasted adverse weather conditions, with heavy rain and strong winds expected in the region over the next 36 hours.

With the advance of Helene, it was confirmed that the storm will strike Florida as a major intensity hurricane, especially on the Gulf coast, and warnings were issued for the population, recommending preparation for possible impacts.

As Helene strengthened and moved toward Florida, schools in several counties of the state closed temporarily from September 25 to September 27 as a precautionary measure to protect students and educational staff due to the proximity of Hurricane Helene.