Tropical storm and storm surge warnings extended across Florida
Florida is set to be hit hard by Tropical Storm Helene, forecasters said today, ahead of its likely arrival as a hurricane late tomorrow.
The National Hurricane Center said in a 5 a.m. ET update that its list of warnings and watches had grown overnight, with a hurricane warning already in place for Florida’s west coast, from Mexico Beach to the Anclote River.
A hurricane watch is in place for a stretch of coastline from the river down to Englewood.
“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the NHC said.
A storm surge warning, meaning there is danger of life-threatening inundation in the next 36 hours, is in place for almost the entirety of Florida’s west coast from Indian Pass, south-east of Panama City, down to Flamingo in the Everglades National Park on the tip of the peninsular. This warning includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.
Across the upper portion of the west coast, the storm surge could reach between 10 and 15 feet.
And a tropical storm warning is in place for Florida’s west coast, much of the east coast, and all the Florida Keys.
Cancun’s beaches empty as Helene heads toward Mexico
A few visitors at the tourist hotspot Cancun were still on the beach on Tuesday, despite warnings that Helene was approaching Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
Florida braces for Helene to hit, potentially as a Category 3 hurricane
NBC News meteorologist Angie Lassman on Early Today forecasts the direction, size and strength of Helene as it heads toward Florida. Â
