Update on Hurricane Helene

NHC Intermediate Advisory 9A was issued at 1PM CDT, so the information that follows is current as of that time.

Here are the new facts regarding Hurricane Helene from the National Hurricane Center:

SUMMARY OF 100 PM CDT…1800 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…22.0N 86.4W
ABOUT 110 MI…175 KM NNE OF COZUMEL MEXICO
ABOUT 480 MI…775 KM SSW OF TAMPA FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…80 MPH…130 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NNW OR 345 DEGREES AT 10 MPH…17 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…980 MB…28.94 INCHES

There were no new watches/warnings issued with this update, so that information remains the same as the previous update.

The maximum wind speed has stayed the same, and pressure has increased by 1 mb from mid-morning. This short stall in strengthening was expected, as the center of the storm passed by the Yucatan Peninsula. The center is now over open waters, and will resume strengthening at a rapid rate.

Current Satellite Imagery of Hurricane Helene

Helene will also begin to move faster, meaning it will follow the motions that models have predicted. Landfall is still estimated to occur sometime tomorrow evening in the Big Bend region of Florida.

With this advisory, storm surge forecasts have changed for the worse. New estimated peak surges are between 12-18 ft in the Big Bend region. This level of storm surge is extremely dangerous, and will present a massive threat to life and property.

Quote from the National Hurricane Center regarding hurricane plans:
“PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM STORM SURGE AND DAMAGING WINDS ALONG THE FLORIDA BIG BEND COAST SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION TODAY”

This is a very serious matter. Anyone on the Gulf Coast of Florida should take all precautions necessary and listen to local authorities regarding evacuations when they are inevitably issued.

The next full advisory from the NHC will be issued at 4PM CDT. We will have a full breakdown of new information once it is released. Stay tuned for updates.

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