Helene strengthens into Hurricane and is targeting Florida as Major Category 3 Storm

As Helene inches ever closer to Florida, the storm is growing rapidly, gaining strength, and forecast to take aim at the sunshine state as a large dangerous Category3 Hurricane.

Helene to rapidly intensify into Major Hurricane and is on target to slam Florida

With all eyes on the tropics, Helene has now reached hurricane strength, and is now a Category 1 Storm as it continues to undergo rapid intensification along its journey into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where it is taking aim at Florida, with a destructive landfall apredicted along the Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday night.

Hurricane Warnings and Storm Surge Warnings are in place along the west coast of Florida as Helene is forecast to become a Major Category 3 Hurricane, bringing the potential for life-threatening storm surge, flooding rain and destructive hurricane-force winds.

Here in Central Florida, including Orlando, the area will experience tropical storm-forced winds, strong wind gusts, and heavy rain, with up to 4" possible in some area. There will also be the chance for a tornado to develop.

Helene is the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, with the massive storm expected to strike Florida, likely along the Gulf Coast on Thursday night, bringing severe weather throughout the state.

The hurricane is now expected to be both strong and large at landfall with life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and heavy rain. In Central Florida, strong winds and heavy rain will be experienced throughout the area.

Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings are in place along the Gulf Coast, with Tropical Storm Warnings issued for Central Florida including the Orlando area.

Tampa Bay could see 5-8 feet of storm surge, and mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for large areas of the Gulf Coast from the Panhandle across the Big Bend and into Southwest Florida. This includes the area of Hillsborough County, including Tampa.

The NHC is warning Floridians to take the potential for severe weather seriously, commenting, "The potential for life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds along the coast of the Florida Panhandle and the Florida west coast is increasing,"

Conditions are expected to deteriate Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with all hurricane preperation to be completed Wednesday afternoon.

Residents are being urged to have their hurricane plan in place now, and to follow advice given by local officials. Helene is forecast to be a large and powerful hurricane, and residents should prepare for a dangerous and destructive storm as time runs out to take necessary precautions.

The impacts of the storm are expected to bring severe weather to all of Central Florida with schools, colleges and universities closed on Thursday.

Many of the area attractions are also set to close Thursday. Also, many events are being cancelled or postponed.

Transport is expected to be another issue, with airports including Orlando International Airport expecting severe delays and multiple flight cancelations. All major U.S. Airlines have already issued travel advisories.

Here is a detailed look at some of the potential impacts from Helene across East Central Florida.

Gusty winds are likely tomorrow, along with locally heavy rain. There is also a risk for tornadoes beginning late tonight through tomorrow.

With a major hurricane set to slam Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 61 of the state's 67 counties, with Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie in charge of the state's response, including coordinating efforts with utility companies, neighboring states and the federal government.

The State of Emergency allows state officials to make resources available to communities ahead of any potential storm impacts. DeSantis' has also activated the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard, ahead of severe impacts throughout the state.

The State of Emergency includes:

Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington Counties.

The goveor urged residents to prepare now, "Prepare. You have time to do it. There's a lot of uncertainty with this storm. But the one thing that is certain is we are gonna see some impacts."

Tropical Storm Helene is a massive storm and is expected to bring wind gusts up to 50 - 60 mph throughout Central Florida, this will be joined by up to 6" of rain leading to localized flooding.

Currently Central Florida is not within the storms cone, but remember, the cone of uncertainty only accounts for where the center of the storm is forecast. However, this will be a very large storm and effects are expected well outside of the cone, with Central Florida on the dirty side of the storm.

Ahead of severe weather rolling into Central Florida, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings across the state.

A Tropical Storm Warning now in effect for all of East Central Florida including Orange, Seminole, Lake, and Osceola Counties, which includes Greater Orlando, and all the major tourism areas including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.

On the west coast, a Hurricane Warning has been issued from Anclote River to Mexico Beach, with a tropical storm warning issued for the Middle Florida Keys from the Seven Mile Bridge to the Channel 5 Bridge.

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the Gulf coast of Florida from Flamingo northward to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay, and west of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County Line.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for Lake Okeechobee and Palm Beach/Martin County Line northward to the Savannah River.

A Storm Surge Warning has been issued from Flamingo to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

As this dangerous storm progresses we will keep you updated with the latest news, information, and updates throughout Central Florida. Stay safe!

Gov DeSantis declares State of Emergency for 41 counties as potential Hurricane Helene targets Florida

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