South Florida braces for heavy rain and winds as Hurricane Helene heads to Gulf
As Tropical Storm Helene moves into the Gulf of Mexico, a tropical storm warning has been issued for all of South Florida.
Although Miami-Dade and Broward counties will be spared the worst of the storm, which is expected to make landfall in the Big Bend area late Thursday or early Friday with a storm surge up to 15 feet, the National Weather Service cautions that South Florida will still feel its impact.
“Conditions are expected to have [wind] gusts up into tropical-storm-force winds above 39 miles an hour,” said NWS Miami Meteorologist Barry Baxter.
Heavy rainfall is also expected in South Florida, potentially causing localized flooding, with the worst conditions predicted from Wednesday night through Thursday, Baxter added. A flood watch is also in effect.
Miami-Dade and Broward County Public Schools remain open but district officials say they are closely monitoring the weather.
MORE INFO: Is your Florida flight or cruise affected by Helene? What to know about travel changes
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: 80% chance of rain with thunderstorms. Wind gusts up to 31 mph
Thursday: 70% chance of rain with thunderstorms. Wind gusts as high as 41 mph into the night
Friday: 70% chance of rain with thunderstorms. Wind gusts up to 29 mph
This story was originally published September 25, 2024 at 10:17 AM.