Tropical Storm Helene forms as portions of Florida are under advisories

(Gray News) - Tropical Storm Helene has formed, the National Hurricane Center reported Tuesday, as it continues to head toward the Gulf of Mexico.

As of Tuesday night, its maximum sustained winds were 60 mph and it was located 100 miles east-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.

The storm is moving west-northwest at 10 mph.

Watches were issued for portions of Florida earlier Tuesday, and it’s expected to reach hurricane strength Wednesday.

Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center expect this storm will make landfall late Thursday on Florida’s Gulf Coast as a major hurricane, potentially Category 3, with strong wind, heavy rain and storm surge, as well as the possibility of tornadoes.

The National Hurricane Center issued a storm surge watch for Indian Pass, Florida, southward to Flamingo, Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. A hurricane warning is in effect for Anclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida; and Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico. A hurricane watch is in effect for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio; Englewood to Anclote River, Florida, and Tampa Bay.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Dry Tortugas; Lower and Middle Florida Keys west of the Channel 5 Bridge; Flamingo to Anclote River, Florida, including Tampa Bay; west of Mexico Beach, Florida, to the Walton-Bay County Line; Palm Beach-Martin County Line northward to the Flagler-Volusia County Line; Lake Okeechobee; Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, Mexico; and locations in Cuba. A tropical storm watch is in effect for the Flagler-Volusia County Line northward to the Savannah River.

The storm is expected to head northward Wednesday through Friday. It is forecast to rapidly strengthen over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and become a major hurricane on Thursday.

The center of Helene will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico Wednesday and Thursday, potentially reaching the Gulf coast of Florida late Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said.

The current trajectory brings the storm on shore at around the Big Bend area of Florida, though it is still too early to tell precisely where the storm will make landfall and Helene’s effects are expected to reach far beyond the forecast track.

People in Florida were getting ready for yet another landfalling hurricane, with sandbags being offered at locations in the Tallahassee area, WCTV reported.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 41 counties Monday ahead of the expected hurricane, the Associated Press reported.

A storm surge of up to 15 feet was forecast from Ochlockonee River, Florida, to Chassahowitzka, and up to 10 feet from Chassahowitzka to Anclote River and from Indian Pass to Ochlockonee River, the Associated Press reported.

The National Weather Service has tips on what to do before a hurricane, including how to know your zone and what to include in your family’s emergency kit.

Impacts are also expected to be felt well inland.

Heavy rainfall — with total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches and isolated totals around 12 inches — will possibly produce isolated flash and urban flooding across the Southeast, Southern Appalachians and the Tennessee Valley Wednesday through Friday, the advisory stated.

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