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.
Weather
Multiple people dead after tornado hits Spanish Lakes Country Club Village in Fort Pierce
Over 100 personnel are involved in the search and rescue operations.
A series of powerful tornadoes tore through a Fort Pierce community on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in multiple fatalities.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed that deaths had occurred at Spanish Lakes Country Club Village, located on Spanish Lakes Boulevard, but did not provide an exact number of casualties.
In an interview, Sheriff Pearson explained that his deputies and state emergency crews would be conducting door-to-door searches in the community, which is situated off Turnpike Feeder Road, west of Route 1.
Over 100 personnel are involved in the search and rescue operations.
“This is like nothing we’ve ever seen,” Pearson said, describing a scene where between six and twelve confirmed high-strength tornadoes ravaged the area within a 20-minute period. “We are doing everything possible to search the area, check the residences, and rescue anyone trapped inside,” he pledged.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, and the National Guard are all providing support to the affected area.
Sheriff Pearson also confirmed that the SLCSO hangar was completely destroyed by a tornado, resulting in a loss estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
The 10,000 square foot steel structure housed the department’s vehicles.