Hurricane Helene makes landfall as Cat 4 storm with catastrophic winds, storm surge

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ABOVE: Watch WESH 2’s continuous live coverage of HeleneHurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region at 11:10 p.m. Thursday just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River, or about 10 miles west-southwest of Perry.The “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm has winds of at least 140 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. An extreme wind warning has been issued for the area. >> Track Helene: Latest maps and models As of the 1 a.m. advisory, Helene is located about 75 miles northwest of Cedar Key with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph and a minimum central pressure of 950 mb.Helene is moving toward the north-northeast near 26 mph. After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday. The NHC said Hurricane Helene is weakening as its eyewall enters southern Georgia.>> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2 Helene watches, warningsA hurricane watch is in effect for: Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa BayA hurricane warning is in effect for:Western Marion CountyAnclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida A tropical storm watch is in effect for:North of South Santee River to Little River InletA tropical storm warning is in effect for:Volusia CountyEastern Marion CountyLake CountySumter CountySeminole CountyOrange CountyOsceola CountyPolk CountyBrevard CountyFlagler CountyDry TortugasAll of the Florida KeysThe Florida west coast from Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa BayWest of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County lineThe Florida east coast from Flamingo northward to the Little River InletLake OkeechobeeRio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, Mexico A storm surge warning is in effect for:Mexico Beach eastward and southward to FlamingoTampa Bay Charlotte HarborMore: Difference between tropical storm, hurricane watch and warningA hurricane warning and tropical storm warning means storm conditions are imminent and preparations should be rushed to completion. Helene impacts in Central FloridaEven though models don’t show the center of Helene passing through Central Florida, it’s important to understand impacts will be felt everywhere.>> How huge is Helene? Hurricane’s size prompts advisories for nearly all of FloridaThe biggest threats in Central Florida in association with this tropical system include heavy rain, potential flooding, gusty winds and the potential for tornadoes, especially on Thursday afternoon.Most of Central Florida is under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. Thursday.>> Keep up with all active alerts in Central Florida Outer bands and tropical moisture from Helene already started moving northward through the area Wednesday, but as Helene nears Florida and eventually makes landfall, Central Florida should brace for more severe weather.Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to reach 345 miles beyond Helene’s center, the NHC says, which means potential wind gusts of 60 mph are possible locally. In addition to these gusts, a few tornadoes embedded in rain bands are possible. >> Download the WESH 2 appFirst Warning WeatherStay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.RadarSevere Weather AlertsDownload the WESH 2 News app to get the most up-to-date weather alerts.The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.