Heather Ainsley
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
While much still remains to be seen about Future Tropical Storm Helene, which has continued to take form in the Caribbean Sea, this much is certain: some very nasty weather is headed toward Florida's coast and Big Bend area this week.
The forecast suggests that the storm, currently named Potential Tropical Cyclone 9, may reach hurricane strength of Category 3 or higher, and is expected to make its way through the Gulf of Mexico toward the Big Bend on Thursday morning, according to radar images from the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS). While the brewing storm continues to develop, the next couple of days will provide crucial information as Florida, Georgia and Alabama residents brace for potential impact.
As of press time Tuesday morning, North Florida residents can expect the following:
By Tuesday evening, Helene is likely to reach At 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, the storm was located around 120 miles west/southwest of Grand Cayman, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 35 mph. It is expected to become a named storm Tuesday, and a hurricane by Wednesday, although the exact trajectory and strength is yet to be determined. According to the National Hurricane Center, there is a 100 percent chance of formation within the next 48 hours. A State of Emergency has been declared for 41 of Florida's 67 counties.
For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan.Cancún, Cozumel and western Cuba as a Tropical Storm or Category 1 hurricane. There will be heavy rainfall, strong winds and severe storm surge with risk of flooding in those areas. It is expected to move northwest throughout Tuesday. By Wednesday morning, Helene is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico as a hurricane, and cities along the Gulf Coast will begin to experience outer bands of rain, and high surf. It is predicted that the storm will begin traveling north to northeast before it makes landfall. Helene is predicted to make landfall as a strong hurricane by Thursday afternoon or evening. Residents should be aware that even if they are not in the area of landfall, hurricane impacts like surge, wind, rain and flooding are still a significant risk. Wind speeds of up to 115 mph are expected.