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Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 26 at 5:18AM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL HLSTBW This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida **HURRICANE HELENE CONTINUES TO RAPIDLY STRENGTHEN IN THE SOUTHERN GULF OF MEXICO** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, and Pinellas - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Levy, and Coastal Pasco - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Inland Levy - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, and Inland Pasco - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Inland Charlotte, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Lee, Inland Manatee, Inland Sarasota, Polk, and Sumter * STORM INFORMATION: - About 390 miles south-southwest of Cedar Key FL or about 320 miles southwest of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL - 24.2N 86.2W - Storm Intensity 90 mph - Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 12 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Helene is moving through the southeast Gulf of Mexico north of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is forecast to rapidly strengthen through today as the storm moves north to northeast with an increasing forward speed, eventually making landfall in the Florida Big Bend Region tonight. Widespread impacts are expected across West- Central and Southwest Florida today through Friday morning. * Storm Surge - Life threatening storm surge is expected today into Friday. Potential peak surge amounts are 10 to 15 feet from Chassahowitzka to Suwannee River, 8 to 12 feet from Anclote River to Chassahowitzka, 5 to 8 feet from Middle of Longboat Key to Anclote River, 4 to 7 feet from Englewood to Middle of Longboat Key, and 3 to 5 feet from Bonita Beach to Englewood. Elevated water levels are possible through Friday. * Flooding Rain - Flooding rain threat will run from today through this weekend with rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches with locally higher amounts up to 10 inches possible. Even after Helene pulls away, additional rounds of heavy rainfall are expected this weekend. * Wind - Hurricane and tropical storm force winds will be possible today and tonight with the highest probabilities along the coast. * Tornadoes - Several tornadoes are possible today and tonight across the area. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible catastrophic impacts across the Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. Potential impacts in this area include: - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible. - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and stranded. Elsewhere across West Central and Southwest Florida, little to no impact is anticipated. * WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across the Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. Potential impacts in this area include: - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks. - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Large areas with power and communications outages. * TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across West Central and Southwest Florida. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across he Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. Potential impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery- powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy. During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather. Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos. If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Ruskin FL around 12PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.