TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Helene is already dumping heavy rainfall in Florida, as it quickly approaches the U.S.
The hurricane is expected to make landfall on Thursday evening in the Big Bend Region of Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center. Storm surge is expected for the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula.
But on Wednesday, heavy rains already started impacting parts of southern Florida, just as Helene strengthened from a Tropical Storm to a Category 1 Hurricane in the NHC's 11 a.m. update.
As of 1 p.m., the hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, as it heading north-northwest at 10 mph. It is currently located over the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 61 counties in Florida on Tuesday, in preparation for the storm's impacts.
"After landfall, Helene is expected to interact with a deep-layer trough over the Lower Mississippi Valley and swing back to the northwest and stall near the Tennessee Valley late Friday
into the weekend," the NHC said.
For additional resources, Florida residents can call the State Assistance Information Line at 800-342-3557, which is available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
