TIMELINE: When future Hurricane Helene may arrive in Florida; county-by-county impacts
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ORLANDO, Fla. - The state of Florida is preparing for potential impacts from Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, which is expected to intensify and possibly reach major hurricane strength before making landfall over Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center and the models.
The forecast track released on Monday shows the system will develop into a tropical storm by Tuesday, strengthening to a Category 2 hurricane by Wednesday night, before making landfall on Thursday. If the system becomes a named storm, it will be called Helene, the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
Where it will make landfall, if it will make landfall over Florida, isn't entirely certain. We'll find out additional details in the hours and days ahead, as the system continues to develop.
The FOX 35 Storm Team said areas along and just east of its path may experience storm surge, tornadoes, up to 6 inches of rain, and winds over 75 mph.
The Orlando and surrounding Central Florida region may be just east of those winds.
Here are the expected county-by-county storm impacts:
Orange, Osceola and Brevard Counties
- Expected Storm Impacts: Strong winds, a few tornadoes
- Timing: The worst weather will occur on Thursday night
- Rainfall totals expected: 2 to 3 inches of heavy rain
Marion, Lake and Sumter Counties
- Expected Storm Impacts: Strong winds, a few tornadoes
- Timing: The worst weather will occur on Thursday night
- Rainfall totals expected: 2 to 4 inches of heavy rain
Flagler, Volusia and Seminole Counties
- Expected Storm Impacts: Strong winds, a few tornadoes
- Timing: The worst weather will occur on Thursday night
- Rainfall totals expected: 2 to 3 inches of heavy rain
Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy and Alachua Counties
- Expected Storm Impacts: Tropical storm conditions, force wind gusts, isolated tornadoes
- Timing: The worst weather will occur on Thursday night
- Rainfall totals expected: 3 to 5 inches of heavy rain
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