HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Per the National Hurricane Center, hurricane and tropical storm conditions are expected over northeastern portions of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico today where Tropical Storm and Hurricane Warnings are in effect. Tropical storm conditions are occurring over portions of western Cuba within the Tropical Storm Warning area, and hurricane conditions are possible today within the Hurricane Watch area.
Due to the large size of Helene, there is a danger of life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Florida Big Bend. The highest inundation of greater than 10 ft is expected along the Florida Big Bend coast. Residents in those areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so.
Devasting hurricane-force winds are expected across portions of northern Florida and southern Georgia where the core of Helene moves inland. Preparations to protect life and property should be completed by early Thursday since tropical storm conditions are expected to begin within these areas on Thursday. Because of Helene's expected fast forward speed, damaging and life-threatening wind gusts are expected to penetrate well inland over portions of the southeastern United States, including in the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.
Helene will bring heavy rain to portions of the western Caribbean with potentially significant flooding across western Cuba and the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula into early Thursday. Considerable and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding is expected across portions of northwestern and northern Florida, the Southeast, southern Appalachians, and the Upper Tennessee Valley Wednesday through Friday. This includes the risk of landslides across the southern Appalachians. Widespread minor to moderate river flooding is likely, and isolated major river flooding is possible.