Forecasters are warning that a nearby cluster of storms with heavy rainfall in the Cayman Islands on Tuesday is expected to become a major hurricane en route to the southeast US. According to the National Hurricane Center, hurricane watches were in effect for Florida's Tampa Bay and from Englewood to Indian Pass, as well as for eastern Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Tulum and for Cuba's Pinar del Rio province. There is also the possibility of hurricane conditions in parts of Cuba and Mexico early Wednesday and in parts of Florida late Wednesday and early Thursday.
The storm would then move "over extremely deep and warm waters" that would fuel its intensification.
"Conditions look quite favorable for strengthening over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday," the center said. "This system will become quite large and powerful before landfall."
Tropical Storm Helene is expected to become a Category Storm before approaching the northeast Gulf Coast on Thursday, with the center warning of "inland penetration of strong winds over parts of the southeastern United States after landfall."
As reported by CBN News, a storm surge watch was in effect for Florida's Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and from Indian Pass south to Flamingo. Meanwhile, a tropical storm watch was issued for Dry Tortugas, the Lower Keys west of the Seven Mile Bridge, Flamingo to the south of Englewood, and from west of Indian Pass to the Walton Bay county line.
On Tuesday, Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, declared a state of emergency in 61 counties, Yahoo reported.
"It's a big, big storm," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press briefing Wednesday. "Many people will lose power ... be prepared for that."
In the latest advisory by the National Hurricane Center, Helene — with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph — is located about 85 miles east-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico, and 500 miles south-southwest of Tampa, Fla., and is moving north-northwest at 10 mph. It is expected to become a Category 3 storm once it approaches the Gulf Coast of Florida, with maximum sustained winds exceeding 111 miles per hour.
"Damaging hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the coast of the Florida Big Bend, where a Hurricane Warning is now in effect," the hurricane center said. "Preparations to protect life and property should be complete by early Thursday."
Prayer for Hurricane Helene
Heavenly Father, we ask for Your protection for those who will be affected by this hurricane in the upcoming days. We also ask for Your peace in the matter and Your wisdom as people navigate this situation. Most importantly, we pray for the repentance and salvation of the souls who do not know You and that Your church will make You known. In Jesus' name, amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Roberto Machado Noa
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.