WATCH LIVE: Tropical Storm Helene forms in the Caribbean, takes aim at Florida
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Helene formed in the Caribbean on Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Helene's winds are at 45 mph, but are expected to rapidly intensify in the next few days, according to the NHC.
Helene is expected to move across the northwestern Caribbean Sea tonight and move into the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday. It is expected to make landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida.
"The new forecast calls for major hurricane category three strength by Thursday morning," Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Amanda Holly said. "The forecast cone did shift slightly west and no longer includes the Tampa Bay coastline, but the NHC urges caution that track shifts east or west are still possible as Helene continues to organize."
Watches and warnings
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for…
- Indian Pass southward to Flamingo
- Tampa Bay
- Charlotte Harbor
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
- Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico
- Cuban province of Pinar del Rio
- Englewood to Indian Pass
- Tampa Bay
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
- Dry Tortugas
- Lower Florida Keys west of the Seven Mile Bridge
- Grand Cayman
- Rio Lagartos to Tulum, Mexico
- Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
- Middle Florida Keys from the Seven Mile Bridge to the Channel 5
Bridge - Flamingo to south of Englewood
- West of Indian Pass to Walton Bay County line
The storm is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches of rainfall with a isolated areas of around 10 inches over the southeastern U.S., according to the NHC.
"The impacts will be far reaching from the center, especially on the eastern side with tropical rain bands bringing strong wind gusts to the coast and heavy rain," Holly said. "Storm surge could be significant from Sarasota county up to the Big Bend Thursday night and Friday morning. Isolated tornadoes are also possible in the outer rain bands."
Areas that are a part of the Storm Surge watch can expect:
- Ochlockonee River, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL: 10-15 feet
- Chassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, FL: 6-10 feet
- Indian Pass, FL to Ochlockonee River, FL: 5-10 feet
- Anclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL: 5-8 feet
- Tampa Bay: 5-8 feet
- Middle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL: 4-7 feet
- Englewood, FL to Bonita Beach, FL: 3-5 feet
- Charlotte Harbor: 3-5 feet