MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane watches were issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico on Monday as a cluster of storms located south of the Cayman Islands was expected to strengthen into a major hurricane in upcoming days while moving north toward the U.S., forecasters said.
The disturbance is forecast to become Hurricane Helene on Wednesday as it approaches the Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.
A Storm Surge Watch has been issued from Indian Pass Florida
southward to Bonita Beach Florida, including Tampa Bay and
Charlotte Harbor.
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the Gulf Coast of Florida
from Englewood northward and westward to Indian Pass, including
Tampa Bay.
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the Gulf Coast of
Florida from Indian Pass to the Walton/Bay County Line and from
north of Bonita Beach to south of Englewood.
“It could certainly become a major hurricane, which is Category 3,” Brad Reinhart, a senior hurricane specialist at the center, said in a phone interview. “People in the Florida Panhandle and the west coast of Florida certainly need to pay close attention.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 41 counties on Monday as a result of the expected storm.
Reinhart said that it’s too early to forecast where it might make landfall. He warned “there’s always some potential” for it to strengthen into a Category 4 storm, but said it might not be the most likely outcome.
He said the disturbance could become a tropical storm by Tuesday, and that tropical storm conditions could affect parts of Florida on Wednesday as it approaches. It could turn into a major hurricane by the time it reaches the northeast Gulf Coast on Thursday.
“It’s a pretty aggressive forecast for intensification over the next few days,” he said. “People need to remain on high alert.”
Very warm sea temperatures are forecast to fuel formation of a tropical storm, which is forecast to quickly strengthen into a hurricane thanks to favorable conditions that include a moist atmosphere, which supports thunderstorm developments, and light upper-level winds at more than 10,000 feet, Reinhart said.
A hurricane watch was in effect for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio and eastern Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Tulum. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Grand Cayman; eastern Mexico from Rio Lagartos to Tulum; and for the Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth. A tropical storm watch was in effect for Florida’s Dry Tortugas and the Lower Keys south of Seven Mile Bridge, and along the southwest coast of Florida from Bonita Beach southward to Flamingo. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued along the southwest coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to Flamingo..
“While it is too soon to pinpoint the exact location and magnitude of impacts, the potential for life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds along the coast of the Florida Panhandle and the Florida west coast is increasing,” the center said in a statement.
Up to eight inches of rain is forecast for western Cuba and the Cayman Islands with isolated total of some 12 inches. Up to 4 inches of rain is expected for the eastern Yucatán Peninsula, with isolated total of more than 6 inches inches.
Heavy rainfall also is forecast for the Southeast U.S. starting on Wednesday, threatening flash and river flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center. Up to six inches of rain was forecast for the region, with isolated totals of 10 inches.
