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Hurricane Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 14
National Weather Service Miami FL  AL092024
502 PM EDT Thu Sep 26 2024

This product covers South Florida

 **Helene strengthens into a major hurricane**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Coastal Collier County and Mainland Monroe
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Broward
      County, Coastal Miami Dade County, Coastal Palm Beach County,
      Far South Miami-Dade County, Glades, Hendry, Inland Broward
      County, Inland Collier County, Inland Miami-Dade County, Inland
      Palm Beach County, Metro Broward County, Metro Palm Beach
      County, and Metropolitan Miami Dade

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 310 miles west-northwest of Miami FL or about 210 miles
      northwest of Naples FL
    - 27.9N 84.6W
    - Storm Intensity 125 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 23 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Hurricane Helene has strengthened into a major hurricane this
afternoon and will make landfall as a major hurricane in the Florida
Big Bend region this evening.

The following are the primary hazards of concern with Hurricane Helene
for South Florida:

* Coastal Flooding/Surge - Higher than usual tides due to the
combination of surge from Helene and the recent full moon will lead to
coastal flooding of 3 to 5 ft over portions of Coastal Collier and
mainland Monroe Counties, with the highest water levels expected this
evening. Other vulnerable coastal areas of southern Florida could also
experience minor coastal flooding, especially around the times of high
tide.

* Rainfall - The majority of the rainfall associated with the system
is forecast to fall through Friday morning. Additional rainfall will
range between 1 to 3 inches over Southwest Florida up to 2 inches over
Southeast Florida. A Flood Watch is in effect for all of South
Florida.

* Wind - The highest probabilities for sustained tropical storm force
winds will be along the Gulf coast of Southwest Florida, including
Collier and mainland Monroe Counties, and adjacent Gulf waters.
Tropical storm force winds are also possible along the Atlantic coast
and adjacent Atlantic waters, especially in conjunction with Helene`s
rainbands. Wind speeds will begin to decrease this evening.

* Tornadoes - An isolated tornado can not be ruled over portions of SW
Florida this evening.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
coastal southwestern Florida. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

Elsewhere across South Florida, little to no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
South Florida. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having
possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
South Florida. Remain well guarded against locally hazardous flood
waters having possible limited impacts. If
realized, these impacts include:
    - Ditches and canals may quickly rise with swift currents.
    - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually
      vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water
      occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
      areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become
      near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge
      closures.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across South
Florida. Remain well braced against a tornado event having possible limited
impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
    - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
      and communications disruptions.
    - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, mobile
      homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and
      branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving
      vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
 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.

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 Miami FL around 11 M EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

$$