Updates from the National Hurricane Center
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An updated path for the storm just came out at 5am. the center of Hurricane Helene was located near latitude 24.2 North, longitude 86.2 West. Helene is moving toward the north-northeast near 12 mph. This general motion is expected to continued with a significant increase in forward speed during the next 24 hours. On the forecast track, Helene will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico today and cross the Florida Big Bend coast this evening or early Friday morning. After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 90 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast this 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 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 345 miles. The Key West Naval Air Station recently reported sustained winds of 41 mph and a wind gust of 64 mph.
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The estimated minimum central pressure based on Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft data is 966 mb.
Expected weather conditions
Tornado threats and heavy rainfall
There is a potential tornado threat, primarily in the areas marked in brown or mustard on the weather maps. A more severe threat is shown by a broad swath of red, indicating a high risk. The region can expect heavy rainfall and the possibility of flooding, particularly in low-lying areas along the river, intercoastal areas, and beaches.
Wind gusts
Wind gusts could reach speeds of 50-60 mph, and potentially even higher, sufficient to topple trees. Expect hurricane-force gusts as the system moves through areas like Homerville. Winds are anticipated to reduce sharply by Friday as the storm moves quickly out of the region.
Precautionary measures
Safety recommendations
Residents are advised to complete any necessary errands early in the day. Seek shelter or a safe place by the evening as conditions deteriorate. Potentially damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall necessitate taking precautions to safeguard lives and properties.
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