Weather
Hurricane Helene Threatens Florida’s Big Bend Coast
Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, is expected to bring devastating winds and storm surge to the Big Bend region of Florida on Thursday evening.
The National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane and storm surge warnings for parts of the state’s Gulf Coast, including the Tampa Bay area.
“Catastrophic” conditions are anticipated as Helene approaches, with the storm expected to intensify further before making landfall.
As of the latest advisory, the hurricane was located 80 miles west-southwest of Cedar Key, Florida, and moving north-northeast at 23 mph with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.
The Tampa Bay area began experiencing the storm’s outer rain bands on Wednesday night, and the system’s parallel path to the region on Thursday led to significant impacts, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surge.
While winds are expected to shift out of the southwest on Friday, flooding and storm surge will remain major concerns.
Storm Surge Predictions:
- Citrus, Pasco, and Hernando counties: 6-15 feet
- Hillsborough County: 5-8 feet
- Manatee and Sarasota Counties: 4-7 feet
- Inland counties (Polk, Hardee, Desoto, and Highlands): 1-3 feet
Other Impacts:
- Rainfall: 4-8 inches possible
- Winds: Sustained winds of 45-55+ mph
- Severe Weather: Isolated tornadoes possible
Warnings and Watches:
- Storm Surge Warning: Mexico Beach eastward and southward to Flamingo, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor
- Storm Surge Watch: West of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach
- Hurricane Watch: Englewood to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
- Hurricane Warning: Anclote River to Mexico Beach
Residents in the affected areas are urged to follow the guidance of local authorities and prepare for the potential impacts of Hurricane Helene.
Emergency crews are responding to widespread storm damage in Princeton, Indiana after a tornado touched down in the area Thursday evening, leaving a trail of destruction across multiple neighborhoods.
According to the National Weather Service, a trained weather spotter confirmed a tornado in the area, reporting that the storm tore roofs off buildings and caused major structural damage.
The most heavily impacted area includes the vicinity of Seminary and Oak Streets, where multiple mobile homes sustained significant damage.
Officials on scene confirmed that power lines are down, contributing to hazardous conditions.
Residents are strongly urged to avoid the affected area, both for safety and to allow emergency personnel to conduct response and recovery operations.
Emergency management officials stated that, at this time, no injuries have been reported, and all residents in the damaged area have been accounted for.
The damage spans an estimated eight-block area, with visible destruction to homes, debris scattered across roads, and utility disruptions throughout the community.
Local authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage, and cleanup efforts are underway.
Further updates will be issued as more information becomes available.