Topline
A storm system in the Caribbean Sea is expected to become Tropical Storm Helene Tuesday and reach hurricane status Wednesday before continuing to strengthen into a possible Category 3 by the time it reaches the Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday, the National Hurricane Center warns.
This graphic shows an approximate representation of coastal areas under a hurricane warning (red), … [+]
Key Facts
A system called Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine—currently located near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula—has prompted a hurricane watch for parts of Mexico, Cuba, the Gulf Coast of Florida and Tampa Bay; a tropical storm warning in Grand Cayman, Mexico and Cuba; and a tropical storm watch for the lower Florida Keys and other parts of the state.
A storm surge warning is also in effect for the Indian Pass area of the Florida panhandle, Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.
Forecasters predict the storm will be near hurricane strength when it reaches the far northwestern Caribbean Sea early Wednesday, and tropical storm to hurricane conditions are expected in portions of western Cuba and the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
The system is expected to be a major hurricane by the time it reaches the U.S. on Thursday with flooding likely across parts of Florida and across the Southeast, Southern Appalachians and the Tennessee Valley Wednesday through Friday.
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Big Number
115 mph. That’s how strong the storm’s winds are forecast to be as of 5 p.m. Thursday, which would classify the storm as a Category 3 hurricane.
Crucial Quote
“The potential for life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds along the coast of the Florida Panhandle and the Florida west gulf coast is increasing,” the National Hurricane Center noted Tuesday. “Residents should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, and also follow advice given by local officials.”
Key Background
Helene would be the eighth named tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and would come weeks after Francine made landfall as a Category 2 in Louisiana on Sept. 11. The only tropical storm to form in between the two, named Gordon, lost its strength in the Atlantic Ocean on Friday. Forecasters this year predicted the busiest storm season (from June 1 to Nov. 30) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has ever forecasted—up to 25 named storms and 13 hurricanes—but the season hasn’t been as active as predicted so far.
