Helene begins to intensify as she heads to Florida: Live tracking

Tropical Storm Helene begins to intensify, expected to hit Florida as a major hurricane

Updated: 6:13 a.m. EDT, September 25, 2024

ABOVE: Watch WESH 2’s ongoing live coverage of Helene. Early Wednesday morning, Tropical Storm Helene was becoming more organized and was forecast to become a hurricane within the next 24 hours. “Significant strengthening is expected prior to landfall on the northeastern Gulf Coast. The NHC intensity forecast explicitly shows steady to rapid intensification,” the National Hurricane Center said. Watch the latest forecast for Helene below. Models show it could make landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend region Thursday night. Inland, meanwhile, tropical storm warnings have been issued for Sumter, Lake, Seminole, Polk and Orange counties, Volusia and Brevard. Tropical storm watches are in place for the Interstate 95 corridor. >> Where to find sandbags in central Florida Helene is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches with isolated totals around 12 inches, bringing the potential for flooding, some of which could be significant, across the southeastern United States, the NHC said. The National Weather Service in Melbourne says many local areas could get 1 to 4 inches of rain, with some areas getting up to six inches. >> Track Helene: Latest maps and models Where is Helene right now? Helene is currently located about 45 miles east-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and a minimum central pressure of 985 mb. The storm is moving northwest at 9 mph. >> School Closures Across FloridaOn the projected track, Helene’s center will pass near the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday, cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday, and reach the Big Bend coast of Florida on Thursday night. >> Download Very Local | Central Florida news and weather streaming on WESH 2Helene watches, warningsA hurricane watch is in effect for: Cabo Catoche to Tulum, MexicoCuba’s Pinar del Rio ProvinceEnglewood to Anclote River, including Tampa BayA hurricane warning is in effect for:Western Marion CountyAnclote River to Mexico Beach, FloridaCabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico, including CozumelA tropical storm watch is in effect for:The coast of Georgia and South Carolina north of the mouth of the St. Mary’s River to the South Santee RiverA tropical storm warning is in effect for:Volusia CountyEastern Marion CountyLake County Sumter CountySeminole CountyOrange CountyOsceola CountyPolk CountyBrevard CountyFlagler CountyDry TortugasAll the Florida KeysThe west coast of Florida from Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa BayWest of Mexico Beach to the line Walton/Bay CountyThe east coast of Florida from Flamingo north to the mouth of the St. Mary’s RiverLake OkeechobeeRio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, MexicoCuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and Isle of YouthA storm surge watch is in effect for:Indian Pass south to FlamingoTampa BayCharlotte HarborA storm surge warning is in effect for:Flamingo to Indian Pass, Florida, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte HarborMore: Difference between a tropical storm, hurricane watch and warningStorm surge forecastOchlockonee River, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL: 10 to 15 feetChassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, F: 6 to 10 feetIndian Pass, FL to Ochlockonee River, FL: 5 to 10 feetAnclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL: 5 to 8 feetTampa Bay…5 to 8 feetMiddle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL: 4 to 7 feetEnglewood, FL to Bonita Beach, FL 3 to 5 feetCharlotte Harbor: 3 to 5 feetHelene Impacts Central FloridaEven though models do not show the center of Helene moving through Central Florida, it is important to understand that impacts will be felt everywhere. >> What to Expect in Central Florida During Helene The biggest threats to Central Florida associated with this tropical system include heavy rain, potential flooding, high winds, and the risk of tornadoes. According to the NWS, tropical moisture is expected to increase in eastern Central Florida on Wednesday as the outer rain bands begin to move northward. Once this rain begins on Wednesday, low-lying and urban areas could experience flooding. Tropical storm-force winds are expected to reach several hundred miles beyond the center of Helene, and the NWS says potential wind gusts of 60 mph are possible. In addition to those gusts, a few tornadoes embedded in rain bands are possible, primarily Thursday. >> Download the WESH 2 First Warning Weather App Stay with WESH 2 online and live for the most accurate weather forecasts in Central Florida. Radar Severe Weather Alerts Download the WESH 2 News app for the most up-to-date severe weather alerts. The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.