Tropical Storm Helene forms in the Caribbean Sea, will become a hurricane, bring rain and wind to NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A tropical disturbance near Cuba is now Tropical Storm Helene and is expected to become a hurricane. hurricane.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Helene will intensify and be near hurricane strength early Wednesday. As the storm moves north toward landfall over the Florida panhandle late Thursday it is expected to strengthen.

Hurricane Helene is expected to be at Category 3 intensity or higher at landfall late Thursday. Helene is expected to bring isolated tornadoes to southern Florida as the outer rain bands come onshore beginning Wednesday, then central FL and the Panhandle Thursday. It can also bring 1-3 ft of storm surge from the FL Keys up to the Mississippi coast, while 3-6 ft is expected from Tampa Bay to Destin.

The highest storm surge is anticipated to be 10-15 ft in the northern half of the Big Bend, 6-10 ft generally is expected in the Big Bend. an area of 8-12″ of rain with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 24″ is anticipated in the central FL Panhandle into southwestern GA. 1-2″ or greater can fall as far west as MS and even into AR and MO.

There is also concern about enhanced rainfall totals in the upslope regions of the Ozark and southern Appalachian mountains. Impacts such as severe flooding, damaging winds, and power outages will be far-reaching across much of the Southeast. This will likely be the storm that the 2024 hurricane season is remembered for

The storm will bring heavy rain to parts of the western Caribbean and cause flooding across western Cuba.

Triangle Impact

Flooding will also be possible across the southeast and southern Appalachians from Wednesday through Friday. That includes portions of North Carolina.

Many parts of the ABC11 coverage should prepare for a lot of rain and possible flooding.