Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Big Bend area as Category 4 storm

Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Florida

FOX 13 meteorologist Nash Rhodes has more on the landfall of Hurricane Helene.

TAMPA, Fla. - Hurricane Helene, which became a Category 4 storm on Thursday afternoon, made landfall in the Big Bend area around 11:15 p.m. just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River, which is about 10 miles west-southwest of Perry, Florida.

Hurricane Helene’s maximum sustained winds were 140 miles an hour when the eye of the storm made landfall.

The National Hurricane Center cautioned that Hurricane Helene will cause a catastrophic storm surge and life-threatening winds as it comes ashore.

Storm watches and warnings

A hurricane warning is in effect from Anclote River to Mexico Beach. That includes coastal areas of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for the rest of the state except the far western Panhandle.

Helene's storm surge

A storm surge warning is in effect for much of Florida's Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

FOX 13 Meteorologists say life-threatening storm surge is expected to be the biggest issue, with the potential to reach 15 feet along the coast from Citrus County northward into the Big Bend, where storm surge could reach "unsurvivable" levels up to 20 feet.

A flood watch is in effect until Friday morning across the Bay Area and much of the state.

A flood warning has been issued for the following rivers in the Bay Area:

Alafia River at Riverview near U.S. 301 affecting Hillsborough County from Thursday evening until Friday morning. Major flooding is forecast.
Little Manatee River at Wimauma at U.S. 301 in Hillsborough County from Friday afternoon until further notice. Minor flooding is forecast.
Manatee River near Myakka Head at SR 64 in Manatee County from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening. Minor flooding is forecast.

READ: Your guide to hurricane season 2024

Storm surge levels will vary depending on where you live. See the graphics below to see forecast storm surge for each area of Tampa Bay:

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Wind gusts were strong along the coast on Thursday afternoon, with tropical storm force winds extending statewide. Wind will continue to be an issue through the evening, especially closer to the coast where gusts could top 70 miles an hour.

Tropical storm force winds stretch about 345 miles from the center of Helene, something Osterberg calls "unheard of." By comparison, Hurricane Idalia produced tropical storm force winds about 135 miles from its center in 2023.

Hurricane Helene caused flooding throughout the Bay Area on Thursday as Hurricane Helene barreled north.

Preparations in the Tampa Bay area for Helene

Hurricane Helene: County-by-county guide

Evacuation orders have been issued in several Bay Area counties, mainly for coastal and low-lying areas.

School closures have been announced in many districts.

Tampa International Airport has suspended all commercial and cargo operations effective at 2 a.m. Thursday.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, ZooTampa, the Florida Aquarium and Clearwater Marine Aquarium are among the attractions closed on Thursday.

Some government offices will be closed in the coming days. Garbage, recycling and yard waste collection will be impacted in certain areas.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for almost all Florida counties, while a few Bay Area counties have declared local states of emergency.

Power companies are staged in the Tampa Bay area, along with other parts of the state, to respond to power outages.

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