Hurricane Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 14

Full Alert Message

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.