(This story was updated to add new information.)
Helene became a hurricane late Wednesday morning and is rapidly strengthening. The storm is forecast to barrel into Florida’s Gulf Coast Thursday as a monster Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 132-mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Hurricane Helene is expected to intensify and grow rapidly as it moves over the Gulf of Mexico before slamming into Florida along the state’s Big Bend.
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“Helene is expected to rapidly grow into a very large and powerful hurricane. The threat of storm surge along the Big Bend of Florida is life-threatening and destructive,” warned AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. “Serious impacts will be felt hundreds of miles away from the center of circulation.”
There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of Florida and Florida’s Big Bend, the NHC reported. The highest inundation levels and potentially catastrophic hurricane-force winds are expected along the Big Bend coast.
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Preparations to protect life and property along the Florida Big Bend coast should be rushed to completion, the NHC said.
Hurricane, storm surge, and tropical storm watches and warnings are in effect for much of Florida.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sent out a rare news release Wednesday to warn of inland flooding from Hurricane Helene:
Hurricane Helene is predicted to make landfall Thursday evening along Florida’s northwest coast as a major hurricane, but NOAA’s National Weather Service is alerting communities that Helene’s flooding rainfall and high winds won’t be limited to the Gulf Coast and are expected to travel hundreds of miles inland.
Helene is an unusually large storm, whose wind field extends as far as 275 miles from its center. Even well before landfall, heavy rainfall will begin in portions of the southeastern United States, and will continue to move northward into the southern Appalachians region through Friday where storm total rainfall amounts are forecast to be up to 18 inches.
The major flood risk includes the urban areas around Tallahassee, metro Atlanta and western North Carolina, including Asheville. Recent rainfall in these areas, especially the southern Appalachians, have left the grounds saturated and the river tributaries running high. Additional rainfall from Helene will exacerbate the existing flood risk. Extreme rainfall rates (i.e., torrential downpour) across the mountainous terrain of the southern Appalachians will likely inundate communities in its path with flash floods, landslides, and cause extensive river and stream flooding.
Gusty winds, combined with saturated ground, will also raise the risk of falling trees that can cause loss of life, property damage, blocked roads, and lead to power outages.
Flooding from extreme rainfall is the deadliest direct cause of tropical cyclone fatalities in the U.S. over the past decade.
Helene is expected to significantly strengthen as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico. The NHC intensity forecast shows Helene reaching 132 mph on Thursday.
At 8 p.m., the center of Hurricane Helene was located 430 miles southwest of Tampa, according to the NHC’s latest advisory.
Helene is moving toward the north near 12 mph.
A northward or north-northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is expected during the next 36 hours.
On the forecast track, Helene will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico tonight and Thursday and cross the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening.
After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening.
Weakening is expected after landfall, but Helene’s fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 345 miles.
Jim Cantore is in Tallahassee in Florida’s Big Bend.
In a response to a tweet asking him where he was, the well-known Weather Channel meteorologist answered, “TLH.”
Helene is currently forecast to make landfall in the Big Bend area as a Category 4 hurricane Thursday.
Cantore was in Port Richey, Florida, earlier on Wednesday and, according to a previous tweet, has been there since at least Tuesday.
Cantore posted an update on X Tuesday from a nearby Hudson Beach comparing photos from Hurricane Idalia.
The combination of a life-threatening storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline, according to the NHC.
The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:
Carrabelle, FL to Suwannee River, FL…15-20 ftApalachicola, FL to Carrabelle, FL…10-15 ftSuwannee River, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL…10-15 ftChassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, FL…8-12 ftIndian Pass, FL to Apalachicola, FL…6-10 ftAnclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL…5-8 ftTampa Bay…5-8 ftMiddle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL…4-7 ftEast of Mexico Beach, FL to Indian Pass, FL…3-5 ftEnglewood, FL to Flamingo, FL…3-5 ftCharlotte Harbor…3-5 ft
The NHC forecast now has Helene strengthening to a Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 132 mph.
“It should be noted that additional strengthening is possible beyond 24 hours before Helene makes landfall Thursday evening,” the NHC said in its latest advisory.
At 5 p.m., the center of Hurricane Helene was located about 460 miles southwest of Tampa.
Helene is moving toward the north near 12 mph.
A northward or north-northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is expected during the next 36 hours. On the forecast track, Helene will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico tonight and Thursday and cross the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening.
After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph with higher gusts.
Strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening.
Weakening is expected after landfall, but Helene’s fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 345 miles.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management has partnered with Uber to provide free rides to shelters, up to $35 each way to and from a state-approved shelter, in counties under a state of emergency for Hurricane Helene, the agency posted on X.
To get a ride:
Open the Uber appTap Account on the bottom right & tap WalletAdd promo code HELENERELIEF
According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, evacuations have been ordered for the following Florida counties:
MANDATORY
Charlotte County: Evacuations have been ordered for barrier islands, low-lying and flood prone areas, manufactured homes, and homes that don’t meet 1995 building codes.
Citrus County: Mandatory Evacuation: For licensed Skilled Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities located in ZONE A ONLY: Wednesday, September 25, 8AM Those living within Evacuation Zone A or any structure countywide not capable of withstanding tropical storm force winds or greater: Wednesday, September 25, 2PM
Dixie County: Dixie County Emergency Management has issued a mandatory evacuation order in preparation for Hurricane Helene. Evacuations will begin at 10AM on Wednesday September 25, 2024 for the following: • All coastal communities including: Suwanee, Horseshoe Beach, Jena, and the immediate surrounding areas. • Mobile Homes and Manufactured homes throughout the county. • Recreational Vehicles County Wide. • Low Lying Areas in the county.
Franklin County: In response to the projected trajectory and intensity of Tropical Storm Helene, Franklin County will implement a mandatory evacuation for the entire county, effective at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
Gulf County: 09/24/24 1000 hours – All non-residents and all Recreational Vehicles (RV’s) in Indian Pass, Cape San Blas, & Simmons Bayou MUST be evacuated by 8:00 AM Wednesday (09/25)
Hillsborough County: Mandatory Evacuation for Zone A and All Mobile and Manufactured Homes Ahead of Tropical Storm Helene.
Jefferson County: Residents of mobile homes, low lying flood prone areas, RV’s, modular homes, and homes that are not up to current hurricane standards.
Lafayette County: Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners and Division of Emergency Management has issued a mandatory evacuation order for all residents living in mobile homes, travel trailers, structurally compromised housing and low lying areas for the entire county. The mandatory evacuations will go into effect on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 8:00 AM.
Leon County: Leon County has issued a mandatory evacuation for residents of mobile and manufactured homes due to the threat of hurricane-force winds. Manufactured and mobile home residents in Leon County should seek safer shelter by 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 26.
Levy County: A Mandatory Evacuation Order is issued for: -Recreational vehicle parks throughout the county, and they shall be removed from the county to the maximum extent possible. -Mobile Homes and Manufactured homes throughout the county. Coastal Communities in the county. Low-Lying areas throughout the county.
Madison County: Due to expected Hurricane force winds, Madison County has a VOLUNTARY evacuation in place for mobile homes, sub-standard housing and flood prone areas.
Manatee County: Manatee County announced a call for evacuation for residents who live in Level A flood zones starting Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. in preparation for Tropical Storm Helene. Evacuation Level A includes all of Anna Maria Island and Manatee portions of Longboat Key, as well as coastal mainland areas. The evacuation also applies to all low-lying and flood-prone areas as well as all mobile and manufactured homes.
Pasco County: Mandatory evacuations will go into effect Wednesday, September 25, at 9:00 a.m. for the following: Evacuation Zone A. Everyone living in a manufactured home, mobile home or RV anywhere in Pasco Everyone in low-lying areas or areas prone to flooding Everyone in an area ordered evacuated by local authorities due to life-safety hazards Voluntary evacuations will go into effect Wednesday, September 25, at 9:00 a.m. for the following: Evacuation Zones B and C Everyone registered with Pasco as a Special Needs Resident Everyone who would be vulnerable in the event of a power loss.
Pinellas County: Mandatory Evacuation Order only for our long-term healthcare residential facilities, which includes hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities that or in Zone A. https://www.facebook.com/PinellasGov
Sarasota County: Sarasota County has declared a local state of emergency and has called for evacuations of Level A manufactured home communities starting Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 7 a.m. Evacuation centers in Sarasota County will open at noon Wednesday.
Taylor County: The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a Mandatory Evacuation Order for everyone in Taylor County due to the intensity of the forecasted Hurricane Helene effective immediately.
Wakulla County: All evacuation zones in Wakulla County are under a mandatory evacuation order. On September 24, 2024, the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners issued a countywide mandatory evacuation for citizens and visitors by no later than 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
VOLUNTARY
Alachua CountyBaker CountyGadsden CountyHamilton CountyJefferson CountyMadison CountySuwannee CountyUnion County
Wakulla County is under mandatory evacuation, ordering residents to leave by Thursday morning, but the sheriff’s office reportedly has no plans to evacuate inmates housed in the county jail, according to Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.
A Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told Fresh Take Florida that while the jail can house up to 350 inmates it currently is not full. The spokesperson reportedly could not provide the exact number of inmates housed there.
Additionally, two state prison facilities in the county have not been evacuated and it was unclear whether evacuations would take place later, the outlet reported.
According to the NHC 2 p.m. advisory, the center of Hurricane Helene was located about 480 miles south-southwest of Tampa and moving into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.
Helene is moving toward the north-northwest near 10 mph.
A turn toward the north and north-northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected later today through Thursday, bringing the center of Helene across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and to the Florida Big Bend coast by Thursday evening.
After landfall, Helene is expected to slow down and turn toward the northwest over the southeastern United States Friday and Saturday.
Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds remain near 80 mph with higher gusts.
Strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening.
Weakening is expected after landfall, but Helene’s fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 275 miles.
The following watches and warnings are in effect as of 2 p.m. Wednesday, according to the NHC:
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:
Indian Pass southward to FlamingoTampa BayCharlotte HarborA Hurricane Warning is in effect forAnclote River to Mexico BeachCabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico including Cozumel A Storm Surge Watch is in effect forWest of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
Cuban province of Pinar del RioEnglewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
Florida Keys, including the Dry TortugasFlamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa BayWest of Mexico Beach to the Okaloosa/Walton County LineFlamingo northward to South Santee RiverLake OkeechobeeRio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, MexicoCuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
North of South Santee River to Little River Inlet
A number of Florida shelters, including special needs and pet-friendly shelters, are open ahead of Hurricane Helene’s expected impact on the state.
For the latest information and locations, click here.
Storm surge is the combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. According to the National Hurricane Center, the water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide.
Carrabelle, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL…10-15 ftChassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, FL…6-10 ftIndian Pass, FL to Carrabelle, FL…6-10 ftAnclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL…5-8 ftTampa Bay…5-8 ftMiddle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL…4-7 ftEnglewood, FL to Flamingo, FL…3-5 ftCharlotte Harbor…3-5 ftMexico Beach, FL to Indian Pass, FL…2-4 ftFlagler/Volusia County Line, FL to South Santee River, SC…1-3 ftDry Tortugas…1-3 ftFlorida Keys…1-3 ft
Tampa International Airport announced on X it will be closing to the public at 2 a.m. Thursday.
The airport will reopen when it’s safe, the post states.
Travelers are encouraged to check directly with their airline for flight updates.
National Hurricane Center’s Hurricane Helene maximum wind forecast:
As of 11 a.m.: 80 mph (Category 1, 74-95 mph)12 hours: 100 mph (Category 2, 96-110 mph)24 hours: 120 mph (Category 3, 111-130 mph)36 hours: 125 mph (Category 3)48 hours: 60 mph (Tropical storm – inland)60 hours: 35 mph (Post-tropical storm – inland)72 hours: 25 mph (Post-tropical storm – inland)96 hours: 15 mph (Post-tropical storm – inland)120 hours: dissipated
The Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore is currently stationed in Port Richey, Florida, the outlet posted on X Wednesday. According to a previous tweet, Cantore has been there since at least Tuesday.
Cantore posted an update on X Tuesday from a nearby Hudson Beach comparing photos from Hurricane Idalia.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday urged Florida residents to make preparations and follow local evacuation orders.
“I would heed those warnings,” DeSantis said. “You can hide from the wind – and there will be significant wind from this storm – but you’ve got to run from the water.”
DeSantis urged residents to prepare for the worst case scenario, even in areas outside the projected path of the storm.
“We are going to have significant impacts from this storm,” DeSantis said. “There’s clearly a pathway for this to rapidly intensify prior to making landfall.”
“You have time now to put your plan in place and to make the arrangements. Time’s running out though, and you don’t want to be in a situation where you’re scurrying around tomorrow.”
Helene is now a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
The storm is located about 500 miles south-southwest of Tampa.
A turn toward the north and north-northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected later today through Thursday, bringing the center of Helene across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and to the Florida Big Bend coast by Thursday evening.
After landfall, Helene is expected to slow down and turn toward the northwest over the southeastern United States Friday and Saturday.
Additional strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening.
Weakening is expected after landfall, but Helene’s fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.
According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, evacuations have been ordered for the following Florida counties:
MANDATORY
Charlotte County: Evacuations have been ordered for barrier islands, low-lying and flood prone areas, manufactured homes, and homes that don’t meet 1995 building codes.
Citrus County: Mandatory Evacuation: For licensed Skilled Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities located in ZONE A ONLY: Wednesday, September 25, 8AM Those living within Evacuation Zone A or any structure countywide not capable of withstanding tropical storm force winds or greater: Wednesday, September 25, 2PM
Franklin County: In response to the projected trajectory and intensity of Tropical Storm Helene, Franklin County will implement a mandatory evacuation for the entire county, effective at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
Gulf County: 09/24/24 1000 hours – All non-residents and all Recreational Vehicles (RV’s) in Indian Pass, Cape San Blas, & Simmons Bayou MUST be evacuated by 8:00 AM Wednesday (09/25)
Hillsborough County: Mandatory Evacuation for Zone A and All Mobile and Manufactured Homes Ahead of Tropical Storm Helene.
Leon County: Leon County has issued a mandatory evacuation for residents of mobile and manufactured homes due to the threat of hurricane-force winds. Manufactured and mobile home residents in Leon County should seek safer shelter by 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 26.
Manatee County: Manatee County announced a call for evacuation for residents who live in Level A flood zones starting Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. in preparation for Tropical Storm Helene. Evacuation Level A includes all of Anna Maria Island and Manatee portions of Longboat Key, as well as coastal mainland areas. The evacuation also applies to all low-lying and flood-prone areas as well as all mobile and manufactured homes.
Pasco County: Mandatory evacuations will go into effect Wednesday, September 25, at 9:00 a.m. for the following: Evacuation Zone A. Everyone living in a manufactured home, mobile home or RV anywhere in Pasco Everyone in low-lying areas or areas prone to flooding Everyone in an area ordered evacuated by local authorities due to life-safety hazards Voluntary evacuations will go into effect Wednesday, September 25, at 9:00 a.m. for the following: Evacuation Zones B and C Everyone registered with Pasco as a Special Needs Resident Everyone who would be vulnerable in the event of a power loss.
Pinellas County: Mandatory Evacuation Order only for our long-term healthcare residential facilities, which includes hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities that or in Zone A. https://www.facebook.com/PinellasGov
Taylor County: The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a Mandatory Evacuation Order for everyone in Taylor County due to the intensity of the forecasted Hurricane Helene effective immediately.
Wakulla County: All evacuation zones in Wakulla County are under a mandatory evacuation order. On September 24, 2024, the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners issued a countywide mandatory evacuation for citizens and visitors by no later than 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
VOLUNTARY
Baker CountyGadsden CountyHamilton CountyJefferson CountyMadison CountySuwannee CountyUnion County
GasBuddy announced Wednesday its fuel availability tracker is active for Florida in case of fuel supply disruptions from Helene.
According to GasBuddy, the company’s free app, available on Google Play and the App Store, can “differentiate stations that have no gasoline, no diesel or no power so that motorists can try other stations.”
“The crowdsourced tracker can be updated by motorists and displays the status for locations that have been reported to GasBuddy. Motorists are encouraged to report the status of any station they see to help others find gasoline or avoid stations with no fuel or power.”
The Florida Department of Health reminds Floridians to have enough of their prescriptions on hand in case pharmacies are temporarily unavailable.
Under a state of emergency, Floridians are permitted to receive early prescription refills.
An early refill may include controlled substances as long as the medical drug is not listed in Schedule II appearing in Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, of the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, the agency said.
In accordance with Florida law, all health insurers, managed care organizations, and other entities that are licensed by the Office of Insurance Regulation and provide prescription medication coverage as part of a policy or contract shall waive time restrictions on prescription medication refills, which include suspension of electronic “refill too soon” edits to pharmacies, to enable insureds or subscribers to refill prescriptions in advance, if there are authorized refills remaining, and shall authorize payment to pharmacies for at least a 30-day supply of any prescription medication, regardless of the date upon which the prescription had most recently been filled by a pharmacist, when the following conditions occur:
The person seeking the prescription medication refill resides in a county that:(a) Is under a hurricane warning issued by the National Weather Service;(b) Is declared to be under a state of emergency in an executive order issued by the Governor; or(c) Has activated its emergency operations center and its emergency management plan.The prescription medication refill is requested within 30 days after the origination date of the conditions stated in this section or until such conditions are terminated by the issuing authority or no longer exist. The time period for the waiver of prescription medication refills may be extended in 15- or 30-day increments by emergency orders issued by the Office of Insurance Regulation.
The mandate remains in effect until the governor’s executive order is rescinded or expires.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for the following Florida counties:
AlachuaBakerBayBradfordBrevardCalhounCharlotteCitrusClayCollierColumbiaDeSotoDixieDuvalEscambiaFlaglerFranklinGadsdenGilchristGladesGulfHamiltonHardeeHendryHernandoHighlandsHillsboroughHolmesJacksonJeffersonLafayetteLakeLeeLeonLevyLibertyMadisonManateeMarionMonroeNassauOkaloosaOkeechobeeOrangeOsceolaPascoPinellasPolkPutnamSanta RosaSarasotaSeminoleSt. JohnsSumterSuwanneeTaylorUnionVolusiaWakullaWaltonWashington
U-Haul is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box portable container use to people in the path of soon-to-be Hurricane Helene, projected as a major storm that will make landfall Thursday along Florida’s Gulf Coast, according to a U-Haul news release.
“Nineteen U-Haul Companies have preemptively made 241 facilities available across Florida (136 stores), Georgia (70 stores) and Alabama (35 stores) to offer a month of free storage services, allowing those making hurricane preparations access to the disaster relief program in addition to people who will need help after the storm.”
The free offer applies to new self-storage and U-Box rentals and is based on availability at each individual Company-owned and -operated location. Please reference the participating stores below and contact your nearest U-Haul office to arrange 30 days of free storage services, the release states.
U-Haul Co. of Clearwater (18 Stores)
(727) 288-9919
Participating store locations: Clearwater, Largo, New Port Richey, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, Port Richey, Seminole, St. Petersburg
U-Haul Co. of East Orlando (11 Stores)
(407) 208-2996
Participating store locations: Kissimmee, Orlando
U-Haul Co. of East Tampa/Lakeland (6 Stores)
(813) 655-4434
Participating store locations: Brandon, Lake Wales, Lakeland, Tampa, Thonotosassa
U-Haul Co. of Gainesville (15 Stores)
(352) 377-7311
Participating store locations: Brooksville, Eustis, Gainesville, Hudson, Leesburg, Ocala, Spring Hill
U-Haul Co. of Jacksonville (15 Stores)
(904) 781-9404
Participating store locations: Atlantic Beach, Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville, Neptune Beach, St. Augustine
U-Haul Co. of North Orlando (13 Stores)
(407) 578-1344
Participating store locations: Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Daytona Beach, Debary, Longwood, New Smyrna Beach, Orange City, Orlando, Sanford, Winter Park
U-Haul Co. of Tallahassee (14 Stores)
(866) 723-3056
Participating store locations: Jacksonville, Middleburg, Orange Park, Tallahassee
U-Haul Co. of West Orlando (8 Stores)
(407) 240-9982
Participating store locations: Clermont, Haines City, Kissimmee, Ocoee, Orlando
U-Haul Co. of West Tampa (13 Stores)
(813) 247-5016
Participating store locations: Odessa, Oldsmar, Tampa
U-Haul Co. of Western Florida (13 Stores)
(941) 359-2413
Participating store locations: Bradenton, Fort Myers, Naples, North Fort Myers, North Port, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, Sebring
Storm surge warning: A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations.
Indian Pass southward to FlamingoTampa BayCharlotte Harbor
Hurricane warning: A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
Anclote River to Mexico Beach, FloridaCabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico including Cozumel
Hurricane watch: A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds.
Cuban province of Pinar del RioEnglewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
Tropical storm warning: A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within the next 36 hours.
Dry TortugasAll of the Florida KeysThe Florida west coast from Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa BayWest of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County LineThe Florida east coast from Flamingo northward to Altamaha Sound, GeorgiaLake OkeechobeeRio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, MexicoCuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth
Tropical storm watch: An announcement that sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within the specified area within 48 hours in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone.
Georgia and South Carolina coast north of Altamaha Sound to the South Santee River61 Florida counties under state of emergency
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded his state of emergency order Tuesday to 61 of Florida’s 64 counties.
The counties affected are: 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.
Declaring a state of emergency allows the state and local governments much more freedom to coordinate their emergency agencies, relax restrictions, cut through red tape and reallocate resources to quickly deal with an imminent or ongoing threat that local services can’t handle on their own.
DeSantis urged residents to be prepared for the incoming storm.
“Right now you do have time, so take advantage of that time,” DeSantis said. “Review your plan and make sure you’re executing your hurricane preparedness plan.”
“Don’t get wedded to these cones. You could be out of the cone and still have major impacts.”
Preparing for hurricane: What you should have in your emergency kit
A basic emergency kit should include:
Water, one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation.Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. And don’t forget your pets.Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.Flashlight.Medical supplies, including a first aid kit, two-week supply of prescriptions, hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.Extra batteries.Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery.Manual can opener.Cash. Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods.Important documents in a waterproof container. Gasoline for your car and generator, stored in proper containersFire extinguisher.
Need to prepare for a hurricane? Here’s what you should have in a disaster supply kit
Tropical Storm Helene path trackerHelene spaghetti modelsStay informed. Get weather alerts via text
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Publish date : 2024-09-25 06:43:00
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