Hurricane Helene gains strength, heads toward Florida

ABOVE: Watch WESH 2’s continuous live coverage of HeleneHurricane Helene has strengthened, according to the National Hurricane Center, and is expected to slam Florida as a Category 4 storm. Storm surge and hurricane warnings have been issued for the Gulf Coast of Florida as Hurricane Helene continues to grow in size and strength. Models show it could make landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend area. >> Track Helene: Latest maps and modelsInland, meanwhile, tropical storm warnings have been issued for all of Central Florida.Helene is currently located about 430 miles south-southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and a minimum central pressure of 972 mb. A northward or north-northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is expected during the next 36 hours. On the forecast track, Helene will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico tonight and Thursday and cross the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening. After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.>> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2 Helene watches, warnings A hurricane watch is in effect for: Cuban province of Pinar del RioEnglewood to Anclote River, including Tampa BayA hurricane warning is in effect for: Western Marion CountyAnclote River to Mexico Beach, FloridaCabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico, including CozumelA tropical storm watch is in effect for: North of South Santee River to Little River Inlet A tropical storm warning is in effect for:Volusia CountyEastern Marion CountyLake County Sumter CountySeminole County Orange County Osceola CountyPolk County Brevard CountyFlagler CountyDry TortugasAll of the Florida KeysThe Florida west coast from Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa BayWest of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County lineThe Florida east coast from Flamingo northward to the South Santee RiverLake OkeechobeeRio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, MexicoCuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth A storm surge watch is in effect for:Indian Pass southward to FlamingoTampa BayCharlotte HarborA storm surge warning is in effect for:Flamingo to Indian Pass, Florida, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte HarborMore: Difference between tropical storm, hurricane watch and warningStorm surge predictionsHelene impacts in Central FloridaEven though models don’t show the center of Helene passing through Central Florida, it’s important to understand impacts will be felt everywhere.The biggest threats in Central Florida in association with this tropical system include heavy rain, potential flooding, gusty winds and the potential for tornadoes.>> See county-by-county impacts, timing as Helene moves across Florida According to the NWS, tropical moisture is expected to increase in east Central Florida on Wednesday as outer rain bands begin to move northward. Expect rain and a storm or two on Wednesday afternoon.As Helene nears Florida and eventually make landfall, Central Florida should brace for more severe weather. Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to reach several hundred miles beyond Helene’s center, and the NWS says potential wind gusts of 60 mph are possible. In addition to these gusts, a few tornadoes embedded in rain bands are possible, mainly on Thursday.>> Download the WESH 2 appFirst Warning WeatherStay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.RadarSevere Weather AlertsDownload the WESH 2 News app to get the most up-to-date weather alerts.The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.