ZULU – PORT IS CLOSED –TAMPA/PORT MANATEE/PORT CANAVERAL/JACKSONVILLE

YANKEE – NO INCOMING VESSELS, VESSELS IN PORT MUST BE PREPARED TO DEPART – CLOSURE WITHIN 24 HOURS. - SAVANNAH

X-RAY – NO SE PORTS

SEASONAL 4 - MIA/PORT EVERGLADES/CHARLESTON/WILMINGTON

=======================================================================================================================================

Hurricane Helene Advisory Number  13

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL092024

1000 AM CDT Thu Sep 26 2024

 

...HELENE STRENGTHENING AND EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL IN THE FLORIDA BIG BEND THIS EVENING AS A MAJOR HURRICANE......PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION...

 

SUMMARY OF 1000 AM CDT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION

-----------------------------------------------

LOCATION...25.5N 85.5W

ABOUT 255 MI...405 KM SW OF TAMPA FLORIDA

ABOUT 290 MI...470 KM S OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...105 MPH...165 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 25 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...960 MB...28.35 INCHES

 

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

--------------------

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

 

None.

 

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

 

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...

* Mexico Beach eastward and southward to Flamingo

* Tampa Bay

* Charlotte Harbor

 

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...

* Anclote River to Mexico Beach

 

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...

* Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

 

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* Florida Keys, including the Dry Tortugas

* Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay

* West of Mexico Beach to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line

* Flamingo northward to Little River Inlet

* Lake Okeechobee

* Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth

 

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

----------------------

At 1000 AM CDT (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Helene was located near latitude 25.5 North, longitude 85.5 West. Helene is moving toward the north-northeast near 14 mph (22 km/h).  A significant increase in forward speed is expected during the next 24 hours.  On the forecast track, Helene will make landfall in the Florida Big Bend region this evening. After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.

 

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 105 mph (165 km/h) with higher gusts.  Additional strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast this evening.  Weakening is expected after landfall, but Helene's fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the

southern Appalachians.

Helene is a very large hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 345 miles(555 km).

The minimum central pressure based on data from the Air Force Hurricane Hunters is 960 mb (28.35 inches).

 

-------------

Next intermediate advisory at 100 PM CDT.

Next complete advisory at 400 PM CDT.