Tropical Storm Watches expand in Florida ahead of expected major hurricane strike from future Helene

MIAMI – Tropical Storm and Storm Surge Watches have expanded across southwestern Florida as the Sunshine State and the U.S. Gulf Coast continue to prepare for significant impacts from Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, which will likely become major Hurricane Helene in the coming days.A potential tropical cyclone designation permits the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to issue routine advisories on a system that has not yet developed into a tropical depression or tropical storm but brings a threat of 39-plus-mph winds to land within 48 hours.This falls within the time window of posting tropical storm and hurricane alerts, allowing the NHC to issue them with additional lead time and provide at-risk people with more advance notice of possible impacts in their area.BRYAN NORCROSS: INCREASING THREAT OF POWERFUL HURRICANE IMPACTING FLORIDA THURSDAYAccording to the NHC, there is the potential for a dangerous and life-threatening storm surge, heavy rain and strong winds to impact the Florida Panhandle and the west coast of Florida.National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome told FOX Weather that over the past 24 hours, the forecast models have started to come into agreement, showing a Florida landfall. “It’s looking increasingly like this is going to be primarily a Florida impact and potentially a significant one at that,” Rhome said. “Our initial forecast showed a borderline Category 2/Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson (Wind) Scale as it makes landfall.”TRACKING POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE 9: LIVE FORECAST CONE, SPAGHETTI MODELS, ALERTS, WIND PROJECTIONS AND MOREAs Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine gathers strength and heads toward the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, millions of people across the region have been told to prepare for potential impacts.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Monday declaring a state of emergency for 41 counties in the Sunshine State to help agencies prepare for the storm. “We will continue to monitor the storm’s path and keep Floridians updated. Now is the time to make an emergency plan, know your evacuation zone, and be as prepared as possible for the storm,” DeSantis said on X. In Leon County, which is home to Florida’s capital of Tallahassee, sandbags are being offered to residents in anticipation of torrential rain and flooding.HOW TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SEASONThe city of Tallahassee is also making other preparations in advance of the incoming storm. City officials said crews would be working to check areas known to flood and will remove obstructions and post warnings for drivers.”Should roads be impacted, all motorists should use caution and not drive through flooded areas or around barricades,” city officials wrote on their website.Utility crews are also getting ready to be deployed, and extra staff will be on standby in case their services are needed.DOWNLOAD THE FREE FOX WEATHER APPStorm impacts are forecast to reach beyond Florida into the Southeast because the system will have a fast forward speed after landfall.”It’s going to be booking it when it moves over Florida. What that allows a storm to do is spread those strong winds farther inland than might normally expect,” Rhome said. “So that’s going to be our next concern, is making sure those inland locations understand the extreme wind risk that could come with this one.”As of the latest advisory from the NHC, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is located about 115 miles west-southwest of Grand Cayman and 265 miles south-southeast of the western tip of Cuba.Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, and it is moving to the northwest at 6 mph.WHAT TO PUT IN AN EMERGENCY KIT”Strengthening is expected during the next few days, and the system is forecast to become a hurricane on Wednesday and continue strengthening on Thursday as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico,” the NHC said in its latest update.With the latest NHC advisory, Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Dry Tortugas, the lower Florida Keys west of the Seven Mile Bridge and from Bonita Beach southward to Flamingo.In addition, a Storm Surge Watch has also been issued for Bonita Beach south to Flamingo.The NHC said Hurricane Watches will likely be issued for portions of Florida on Tuesday, and residents should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place.A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Grand Cayman, Rio Lagartos to Tulum, Mexico, and the Cuban provinces of Artemisa, and Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth.A Hurricane Watch was issued from Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico and Pinar del Rio in Cuba.FORECASTERS TRACKING 2 AREAS OF CONCERN FOR TROPICAL DEVELOPMENT IN ATLANTICAccording to the NHC, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is expected to continue on a northwestward track Tuesday and Tuesday night, followed by a faster northward or north-northeastward motion on Wednesday and Thursday. The NHC said the center of the system is forecast to move across the northwestern Caribbean Sea through Tuesday night and then track across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday.It’s expected to intensify into a hurricane on Wednesday and continue strengthening on Thursday as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico.