Hurricane Helene is forecast to take aim at Florida's west coast as a large dangerous Category3 Hurricane, with Tampa International Airport taking the decision to suspend operations ahead of any potential impacts.
Tampa International Airport will suspend all commercial and cargo operations beginning at 2 a.m. Thursday ahead of Hurricane Helene, with the Airport remaining closed to the public until it can assess any damage after the storm.
The Airport and its partners will use time ahead of the suspension to prepare the airfield and terminals, including the securing of jet bridges, ground equipment and any remaining aircraft before the storm arrives Thursday. The three other public airports managed by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority – Peter O. Knight, Tampa Executive and Plant City Airports – will also close at 2 a.m. Thursday.
TPA, including the Main Terminal and Airsides, will not be open for public use and is not equipped to function as a shelter for people or vehicles.
The Airport anticipates reopening Friday following a damage assessment that will begin as soon as it is safe to do so. TPA will closely coordinate the reopening of the Airport with its partners, including the Transportation Security Administration and airlines, based on roadway safety, facility readiness and staffing. Any changes to the timing will be promptly communicated.
Important reminders for passengers:
Please contact your airline for the latest flight information. TPA will announce if flight operations are affected by the storm, but airlines are responsible for their schedules.
Monitor the weather closely. Please stay up to date on forecasts for your area and any regions to which you may be traveling to or from.
Follow TPA social media for the latest updates. Their account on X, @FlyTPA, will be the place to find the latest updates.
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!
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