Helene strengthened into a hurricane Wednesday, and forecasters warned that the storm would intensify as it crosses the Gulf of Mexico on a path to Florida.
Wednesday after rapidly strengthening in the Caribbean Sea and moved north along Mexico’s coast on a path toward the U.S., leading residents to evacuate, schools to close, and officials to declare emergencies in Florida and Georgia .
Forecasters warned of possible tornadoes Wednesday night in western Florida and southern Alabama and said the tornado risk would increase Thursday, expanding across Florida and into Georgia and South Carolina. Helene, which formed Tuesday in the Caribbean, is expected to move over deep, warm waters, fueling its intensification. The hurricane was about 500 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, and had sustained winds of 80 mph , according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Forecasters said it is expected to become a major hurricane with its center making landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida’s northwestern coast as soon as late Thursday.
Hurricane watches, which are a step down from warnings, were also in effect for parts of western Cuba and Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, the hurricane center said. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who already issued an emergency for most of the state’s counties, said Wednesday that 12 health care facilities have evacuated. He urged people to prepare immediately.
Emergency Gulf Of Mexico Hurricane Southeastern U.S. Major Hurricane Strengthening Florida Georgia Tornadoes High Winds Storm Surge Closures Evacuations
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