Helene will bring “catastrophic” storm surge and wind to the Big Bend region of Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center.
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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Helene is now likely to make landfall as a Category 4 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.
As of the 5 p.m. update, Helene is located 130 miles west of Tampa and is moving north-northeast at 23 mph. Its maximum sustained winds are 125 mph, making it a Category 3 hurricane.
Helene is expected to make landfall Thursday night in the Big Bend region and is likely to be at or very near Category 4 strength, according to the NHC.
Video above: Watch live News Channel 8 coverage of Hurricane Helene
The storm is expected to bring “unsurvivable” storm surge of up to 20 feet to the Big Bend area, according to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, which called it a “nightmare surge scenario.”
Max Defender 8 Chief Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli said residents in the Nature Coast and Big Bend should not take any chances and need to evacuate.
“You cannot survive 20 feet or even 15 feet of storm surge,” Berardelli said. “If you’re near the water and you know you’re going to flood, especially if you’re in a mobile home, too. You’ve got to go. You cannot take your chances. This is not survivable.”
Weakening is expected after Hurricane Helene makes landfall, but fast forward speed allows strong, damaging winds in gusts.
The next track update is at 11 p.m.
Watches and warnings
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…
Mexico Beach eastward and southward to Flamingo
Tampa Bay
Charlotte Harbor
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…
Anclote River to Mexico Beach
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
Florida Keys, including the Dry Tortugas
Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
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Flamingo northward to Little River Inlet
Lake Okeechobee
Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth
Tropical Storm Isaac
The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Isaac formed in the open subtropical Atlantic on Wednesday night.
The system is well east-northeast of Bermuda and will not impact North America.
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