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    • Be on the alert for hurricanes off Florida’s Gulf Coast as the storm could intensify quickly
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    Be on the alert for hurricanes off Florida’s Gulf Coast as the storm could intensify quickly

    Vaseline Posted on

    Topline

    A storm system in the Caribbean Sea officially strengthened into Tropical Storm Helene late Tuesday morning and is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by the time the storm reaches Florida’s Gulf Coast on Thursday, the National Hurricane Center warned.

    Key Facts

    The National Hurricane Center announced that a storm it is monitoring, previously known as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, strengthened into a tropical storm late Tuesday morning.

    The storm, which is located about 175 degrees south of the western tip of Cuba, has prompted a hurricane warning for the Florida coastline from Indian Pass to Englewood, including Tampa Bay.

    A hurricane warning is also in effect for parts of Mexico and Cuba; a tropical storm warning is in effect for the lower Florida Keys, parts of Mexico and Cuba; and a tropical storm warning is in effect for the middle Florida Keys and other parts of the state.

    A storm surge warning is also in effect for the Indian Pass area in the Florida Panhandle south of Flamingo, which includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

    The storm reached sustained winds of up to 45 mph (72 kph) by 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, with higher gusts possible. Forecasters predict the storm will reach near hurricane strength when it reaches the northwestern Caribbean Sea Wednesday morning.

    The system is expected to become a major hurricane by the time it reaches the U.S. on Thursday, with winds of around 115 mph (185 km/h) and expected rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters), with isolated amounts of up to 12 inches (30 centimeters), which “will likely result in areas of significant flash flooding and urban flooding.”

    Airlines have issued travel warnings for the storm, offering potentially affected passengers the opportunity to change their travel plans at no charge. These include United Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and Frontier.

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    Large number

    115 mph. That’s how strong the storm’s winds are expected to be as of 5 p.m. Thursday, which would classify the storm as a Category 3 hurricane.

    Crucial quote

    “The potential for life-threatening storm surges and damaging hurricane-force winds along the Florida Panhandle and west Florida Gulf Coast is increasing,” the National Hurricane Center said Tuesday. “Residents should be sure to have their hurricane plans ready and follow the advice of local officials.”

    Main background

    Helene is the eighth named tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, coming weeks after Francine made landfall in Louisiana on Sept. 11 as a Category 2 storm. The lone tropical storm that formed between the two hurricanes, Gordon, weakened in the Atlantic on Friday. Forecasters had predicted the busiest storm season (June 1 through Nov. 30) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has ever predicted this year — up to 25 named storms and 13 hurricanes — but the season has not been as active as predicted so far.

    Read more

    ForbesHurricane Helene: Airlines issue travel warnings as storm heads toward FloridaBy means of Suzanne Rowan Kelleher
    ForbesGovernment forecasters give the most dire hurricane season forecast in history — here’s whyBy means of Brian BushardForbesHurricane Francine makes landfall in Louisiana as Category 2By means of Mary Whitfill Roeloffs

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