NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Hurricane Helene is gaining strength as it enters the warm Gulf of Mexico waters from the Northern Caribbean Sea. Starting Thursday afternoon, rain associated with this system will impact Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky with potential rain amounts through Sunday of two to four inches or higher.
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As it enters the Gulf of Mexico, it will hit Cuba with strong winds, storm surge and the chance for mudslides. It will quickly intensify as the low-pressure system enters the warm Gulf water.
Florida is already preparing for Helene. There is a hurricane warning in effect for the big bend of Florida, with tropical storm watches into southern Georgia and southwest South Carolina. The National Hurricane Center has forecasted storm surge levels to be one to three feet at the Florida keys, five to eight feet at Tampa Bay and 10-15 feet from the Ochlockonee River, Fla. to Chassahowitzka, Fla.