(This story was updated to add new information and because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
A hurricane warning extended Wednesday to Baker County’s border with Columbia County, but the Jacksonville area remained under a tropical storm warning, meaning winds up to 73 mph were expected within a day and a half. A wind-threat map circulated by the National Weather Service showed potential wind speeds of 39 to 57 mph across Northeast Florida.
The first bands of rain could reach Jacksonville Wednesday afternoon or evening, the National Weather Service in Jacksonville said, and tornadoes could develop tonight or Thursday. Small amounts of “high-tide flooding” could begin Wednesday night with “moderate tidal flooding” and flash floods possible in some areas Thursday, the weather service said.
Storm surge could raise St. Johns River levels by up to three feet Thursday night in some areas north of the Buckman Bridge, Angie Enyedi, a weather service meteorologist, said Wednesday during a news briefing with city officials. She said the increase could create a potential for flooding around Riverside, Hogans Creek, San Marco and the Ribault River, especially between about 6:45 p.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday.
High winds could cause trees to fall, especially where ground is soaked from earlier rains, and wind gusts above 40 mph could affect major bridges around Jacksonville, where police close river crossings if winds become dangerous.
Bridge closures: At what wind speed do Florida bridges shut down due to hurricane-force winds?
Schools, offices closing for storm
Public schools in Duval, Clay, Nassau and Baker counties will be closed Thursday and Friday and St. Johns and Putnam County schools will be closed Thursday, as will most colleges. Courthouses and many local government offices planned Thursday closings too, but varied on when they would reopen.
Preparing for Hurricane Helene: What’s closed, what’s open in Northeast Florida?
Tropical Storm Helene expected to make landfall as major hurricane
Tropical Storm Helene is expected to become a major hurricane, with sustained winds of 120 mph before making landfall Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
AccuWeather forecasters are predicting the system could become a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico.
➤ Spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Helene
➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location
Watches, warnings issued for Florida
As of 8 a.m. watches and warnings issued include:
Hurricane warning:
Hurricane watch:
Storm surge warning:
Indian Pass southward to Flamingo
Tampa Bay
Charlotte Harbor
Tropical storm warning:
All of the Florida Keys
The Florida west coast from Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
West of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County line
The Florida east coast from Flamingo northward to the St. Marys Triver
Lake Okeechobee
Will Tropical Storm Helene become a hurricane?
Yes. All predictions are that Tropical Storm Helene will rapidly intensify into a hurricane today, Sept. 25, as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico.
At 8 a.m., Helene is close to hurricane strength, with winds at 70 mph.
Winds are predicted to hit 120 mph before landfall Thursday evening, making it a Category 3 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center. AccuWeather forecasters predict Helene could become a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, with sustained winds of 130-156 mph.
Where is Tropical Storm Helene expected to make landfall?
Landfall is expected along the northeast coast of the Gulf of Mexico late Thursday or Thursday night, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The highest landfall probability is somewhere along the eastern part of the Florida Panhandle — perhaps in the Big Bend area — late Thursday evening, according to AccuWeather.
Will Tropical Storm Helene impact Florida?
Yes. Expected impacts include:
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Life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Florida Big Bend.
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Damaging hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of coast of the Florida Big Bend,
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Considerable and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding is expected across portions of Florida.
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Rainfall could range from 5 to 10 inches, with isolated totals around 15 inches.
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Rough surf, with swells spreading north toward the west coast of Florida and the northeastern Gulf Coast later today and Thursday.
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A tornado or two may occur tonight over parts of the western Florida peninsula. The risk of tornadoes will increase on Thursday, expanding across Florida .
Don’t focus on the center of the storm. It’s extremely large, which means impacts will be felt hundreds of miles away, especially on the east side.
➤ For more details on impacts and timing on Florida impacts
Florida Gov. DeSantis expands state of emergency
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency on Monday afternoon for 41 of Florida’s 67 counties, including all of the Florida Panhandle.
Tuesday morning, he increased the number of counties to 61.
Counties under the state of emergency are: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.
What should you do if you live in Florida?
➤ How to prepare for a hurricane
Finalize your hurricane preparations. If advised to evacuate, please do so before conditions deteriorate. Keep an eye on weather updates. Make sure you have a hurricane plan and supplies.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Racing to Florida, Helene bringing Jacksonville tropical storm weather
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