Tropical Storm Watches Upgraded to Warnings for Central Florida
The weather news is quickly changing, and we have another update for Central Florida concerning Tropical Storm Helene.
The National Weather Service just upgraded the tropical storm watches into tropical storm warnings for most of central Florida.
Orlando Sentinel
As it approaches the state’s Gulf Coast, this is likely to develop into a major category three hurricane.
Central Florida
The warning impacts multiple Florida counties, including Lake, Marian, Orange, Osceola, Poke, Seminole, and Sumter.
A tropical storm warning means that these conditions are possible within 24 hours. The counties along the Gulf Coast are under a hurricane watch.
AFP / Gregg Newton (Photo credit: GREGG NEWTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Tropical Storm Helen officially developed Tuesday morning and now has sustained winds of 50 mph and dropping pressure as it becomes more organized.
It is located in the northwestern Caribbean but is predicted to turn overnight and head towards the Gulf of Mexico.
Photo: Str/Xinhua/Zuma || Hurricane Ian 2022
The National Hurricane Center forecasts that the storm will rapidly grow once it hits warm waters on Wednesday and becomes a category three hurricane. The hurricane has the potential to reach 115 mph winds by Thursday afternoon.
Storm Impacts
Though it is too early to predict the specific impact on central Florida, heavy rainfall, tropical-storm-force winds, and tornadoes are concerns.
Rainfall totals for the storm are predicted at 1 to 4 inches across the region, with some isolated areas getting up to 6 inches and leading to flooding.
Several cities and counties in Florida are already offering sandbag distribution, and schools and businesses in various counties are closing to prepare for the storm.
Governor Rick DeSantis has declared a state of emergency and is encouraging people to be alert and informed on the rapidly changing situation.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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