Helene has strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane. The storm has winds of 130 mph and is expected to make landfall tonight along the north Florida coast. 

Helene formed in the northwestern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday, Sept. 24. It's the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season and the fifth hurricane.

What You Need To Know

  • Hurricane Helene strengthens to Category 4

  • It's expected to maintain intensity 

  • Helene will make landfall in Florida tonight

Helene is moving north-northeast into the eastern Gulf of Mexico with maximum winds of 130 mph. It may strengthen even more before landfall. 

The latest forecast has Helene moving inland tonight in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 4. Winds will likely be around 130 mph at landfall. 

The risk of life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds will be on-going through Friday morning along portions of the Gulf Coast, especially the Florida Panhandle and Florida's west coast.

Tropical Storm and Hurricane Warnings are in effect across Florida and the Southeast. This is a large storm, with hurricane-force winds extending outwards of 60 miles from the center. The tropical storm-force winds extend over 300 miles from the center. 

Along with hurricane-force winds, dangerous storm surge is expected and Storm Surge Warnings have been issued along Florida's Gulf Coast. Storm surge will be highest in the Big Bend and Nature Coast area, with inundation up to 12 to 15 feet above ground level, with some areas just east of landfall seeing 15+ feet of storm surge.

Here's a look at the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far.

More Storm Season Resources

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