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

This product covers East Central Florida

**MAJOR HURRICANE HELENE STRENGTHENING, CONDITIONS DETERIORATING
 ACROSS EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA THROUGH THIS EVENING**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Indian River,
      Coastal Martin, Coastal Saint Lucie, Coastal Volusia, Inland
      Indian River, Inland Martin, Inland Northern Brevard, Inland
      Saint Lucie, Inland Southern Brevard, Inland Volusia, Mainland
      Northern Brevard, Mainland Southern Brevard, Northern Brevard
      Barrier Islands, Northern Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola,
      Seminole, Southern Brevard Barrier Islands, and Southern Lake

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 180 miles west-southwest of Leesburg FL
    - 27.9N 84.6W
    - Storm Intensity 125 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 23 mph

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

Hurricane Helene has strengthened to a major Category 3 hurricane
and is located around 145 miles southwest of Tampa, across the
southeast Gulf of Mexico as of 5 PM. Helene will continue to
strengthen while moving north-northeast across the Gulf of Mexico
today and is forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane along the
Florida Big Bend coast late this evening.

Tropical storm force winds encompass a large area to the east of
Helene`s center, which includes the entire Florida Peninsula. Tropical
Storm Warnings remain in effect for all of east central Florida, as
well as the adjacent Atlantic waters. Frequent tropical storm force
gusts will be possible across the area into this evening. The
potential for gusts up to 60 to 65 mph will exist, particularly in
stronger rainbands, northwest of I-4, along the Atlantic coast and in
vicinity of Lake Okeechobee.

In addition to strong wind gusts, a few to several tornadoes embedded
in rain bands are possible through this evening. Outer rain bands have
begun to impact the local area and will increase in frequency over the
next few hours as the system makes its closest approach to east
central Florida this evening. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until
8 PM across east central Florida. Additional watches will be likely
later tonight.

Locally higher rainfall totals will result from rain bands repeatedly
moving over the same locations. Generally, 1 to 2 inches of total
rainfall is forecast area-wide, with locally higher amounts possible
through tonight. Higher rainfall amounts will be capable of producing
localized flooding in low-lying and urban areas, especially in areas
which have already received heavy rainfall this month. A Flood Watch
remains in effect across all of east central Florida through early
morning Friday.

Along the coast, battering surf through tonight will cause dangerous
beach conditions. Wave run-up to the dune line and sea walls will
result in beach erosion, especially during tomorrow morning`s high
tide, occurring between 3 AM and 5 AM. Marine conditions are dangerous
and small craft operators should remain in port. Visitors and
residents should stay off the beaches and out of the surf through
tonight. Additionally, numerous life-threatening rip currents and a
powerful longshore current will exist. A High Surf Advisory is in
effect at area beaches and will continue through 11 AM Friday.

Conditions will continue to worsen through the rest of this evening.
Do not let your guard down. This is a very large storm and impacts
will be experienced far from the center of the storm. Make sure your
hurricane kit is fully stocked and safety plan is in place. As
conditions deteriorate, be sure to have multiple ways to receive
weather alerts. Any eastward shifts in the forecast track would
increase the potential for additional impacts locally, so continue to
monitor the latest forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and
National Weather Service in Melbourne, Florida.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
East Central 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.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across East Central
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 small boats tossed about.
      Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect through 8 PM EDT. Extensions or
additional watches will be likely across some areas of east central
Florida late tonight.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Remain well guarded against dangerous flood waters having possible
impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - 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.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Increasing winds and battering surf through tonight will produce
wave run-up to the dune line and sea walls, resulting in minor beach
erosion. This will also lead to numerous life-threatening rip currents
and a powerful longshore current at area beaches. A High Surf Advisory
is in effect through Friday morning for these hazardous surf conditions.
Visitors and residents should stay off the beaches and out of the surf
today into tonight!

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.

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which
it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay
attention for instructions from local authorities.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body. If
driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

* 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 Melbourne FL around 12 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

Tollefsen