Current Situation:
- Hurricane Helene is currently located about 350 miles southeast of West Palm Beach, Florida.
- The storm is moving west-northwest at 8 mph and is expected to make landfall in Florida on Sunday afternoon.
Forecast:
- Heavy rainfall totals of up to 6-8 inches are expected across southern Florida, with isolated areas potentially seeing over 10 inches.
- Tropical storm-force winds (winds of 39-73 mph) are expected to hit the west coast of Florida, including Tampa Bay and Sarasota.
- Hurricane-force winds (winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible along the Gulf Coast, particularly in areas near the Florida Panhandle.
Impact on Florida:
- The Florida Highway Patrol has issued a “high-risk” alert for the entire state due to expected hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall.
- Schools and universities have closed across southern Florida as a precautionary measure.
- Many gas stations are running low on fuel, and prices may rise significantly once the storm hits.
Potential Storm Surge:
- A storm surge of 2-4 feet is possible along the Gulf Coast, particularly in areas near Pensacola Beach, Florida.
Regional Outlook:
- Georgia and the Carolinas can expect tropical storm-force winds and heavy rainfall, with some isolated areas potentially seeing over 5 inches of rain.
- South Carolina may experience strong gusts and downed power lines, while North Carolina could see significant flooding along the coast.
Please note that this summary is based on a 24-hour-old article, and the situation may have changed since then. For the most up-to-date information, I recommend checking with local news sources or the National Hurricane Center (NHC) for the latest updates on Hurricane Helene’s trajectory and impact.