(This story was updated to add new information.)
In a hurry? Here’s what’s happening with Tropical Storm Helene in less than a minute.
Hurricane Helene continues to strengthen and is now a Category 2 storm. More strengthening is expected before landfall later tonight as a major hurricane, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend coast, where inundation could reach as high as 20 feet above ground level, along with destructive waves, forecasters warned.
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The danger from storm surge won’t be limited to near where landfall takes place. There’s also a “danger of life-threatening storm surge along the remainder of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula,” the Hurricane Center said.
Winds are forecast to intensify today, Sept. 26, and could reach 115 mph by landfall tonight, according to the National Hurricane Center. That’s a significant drop from earlier forecasts that had Helene reaching Category 4 strength, with 130 mph winds, by the time of landfall.