Hurricane Helene expected to bring catastrophic winds and storm surges to the northeastern gulf coast. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
The Category 1 storm just over 400 miles SW of Tampa.
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* Indian Pass southward to Flamingo
* Tampa Bay
* Charlotte Harbor
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Anclote River to Mexico Beach
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Florida Keys, including the Dry Tortugas
* Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
* West of Mexico Beach to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line
* Flamingo northward to Little River Inlet
* Lake Okeechobee
The hurricane is forecast to reach Category-4 status, by the time it makes landfall Thursday night in the Panhandle's Big Bend area.
Top winds could reach between 130 and 159 MPH.
More than 35-hundred National Guard members have been activated to help with recovery.
Anyone in Helene's path can expect life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains.