Search
Close this search box.

Hurricane Helene strengthens to Cat 2; Okaloosa expects rain and gusty winds

Hurricane Helene intensifies to Category 2, threatening Florida's Big Bend. Okaloosa County expects indirect impacts with periods of rain and gusty winds.
Tropical Tidbits

Hurricane Helene rapidly intensified into a Category 2 storm early Thursday, prompting urgent warnings for residents along Florida’s Gulf Coast to complete preparations as the powerful system approaches.

  • As of 7 a.m. CDT Thursday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported Helene’s maximum sustained winds had increased to 100 mph. The storm was located about 320 miles southwest of Tampa and 365 miles south of Apalachicola, moving north-northeast at 12 mph.

Forecasters expect Helene to continue strengthening, likely becoming a major hurricane before making landfall on Florida’s Big Bend coast Thursday evening or early Friday morning.

“Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast this evening,” the NHC stated in its advisory this morning. “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.”

A life-threatening storm surge warning is in effect for much of Florida’s west coast, from Mexico Beach to Flamingo, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. The NHC warns that water levels could reach 15 to 20 feet above ground in some areas between Carrabelle and the Suwannee River.

  • Hurricane warnings extend from the Anclote River to Mexico Beach, with tropical storm warnings covering a broader area including the Florida Keys and parts of Cuba.

Heavy rainfall is expected to cause flash flooding and urban flooding across the southeastern U.S., with 6 to 12 inches of rain forecast and isolated totals up to 18 inches possible. The NHC warns of significant river flooding and numerous landslides in the southern Appalachians.

  • The risk of tornadoes is increasing, particularly in northern Florida, southeast Georgia, and parts of the Carolinas.

In Okaloosa County, Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox reported that while the area is not under a tropical storm warning, residents should still expect periods of rain and gusty winds.

“We’ll still experience periods of rain and gusty winds, but no tropical storm warning for Okaloosa at this time,” Maddox stated in a morning update. “This doesn’t mean a dry, sunny day for us.”

As Helene approaches, officials stress the importance of following evacuation orders and taking all necessary precautions to protect life and property.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“It sounds like the developer is only interested in participating if it serves there monetary interest without regard to Destin leadership or community concerns. Why would the city allow this...”
Respond
“Destin does not need more commercialization. Go to Panama City for that. If it can’t be stopped, please say the new construction will not look like the cheesy towers already...”
Respond
“Whatever the plan turns out to be, it needs to tie into the new Brooks bridge, increase downtown parking and allow for much more pedestrian traffic maybe even closing down...”
Respond
“The current building is an eye sore and looks more like Panama Beaches. Too tall already. Let the citizens vote on it! No!!!”
Respond
“https://www.getthecoast.com/destin-council-seeks-to-close-dangerous-us-highway-98-intersection-after-fatal-crash/ I can only imagine there will be more like this if Destin gets anymore congested.”
Respond
“I honestly wish the citizens of Destin could vote on this debacle. I bet very few if any would agree to this continued commercialization, on a ridiculous level, of what...”
Respond
“Absolutely not! We are a small city! We need more green spaces. More parks! Our city to be safe to walk, run, and ride your bike. We have enough places...”
Respond
“Infrastructures is not designed to handle any more .IE Roads! Traffic count is needed. 2 spaces per unit! Gulf power suggested the need! We in okaloosa country 1.4 per unit....”
Respond
“Not touristy at all. It’s all about cars cars carsWhen are Americans going to get back to a people environment. Cancel car culture. Trains, buses, trams, walking and cycling. Many...”
Respond
“The infrastructure " roads " cannot support the traffic! Traffic count needed.”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.