TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — As Hurricane Helene moves through the Gulf and toward the Big Bend, we're keeping your family updated with the latest forecast models, safety information, and emergency response updates all in one place.
Watch WTXL live coverage as Hurricane Helene approaches:
Thursday 7:14 p.m.
Lowndes County EMA is now urging people in mobile homes to move to one of the emergency shelters open in the county.
Thursday 7:05 p.m.
Conditions continue to deteriorate in Wakulla County due to Hurricane Helene. You can see the high winds and choppy water in this report from WTXL's Kenzie Krueger:
Thursday 6:45 p.m.
BREAKING: Helene has now strengthened to a category 4 hurricane:
Thursday 6:30 p.m.
Conditions are starting to worsen in Steinhatchee as Hurricane Helene approaches. Watch this update from WTXL's Kenya Cardonne:
Thursday 6:15 p.m.
Power outage update: According to the City of Tallahassee, 1,490 customers are now without power in the northern area of Tallahassee near N. Meridian Rd.
Thursday 5:58 p.m.
We are beginning to see some power outages in Wakulla County. According to Talquin Electric, 639 customers have lost power in the Shadeville area. We will continue to update power outage numbers as Hurricane Helene moves through the Big Bend.
Thursday 5:50 p.m.
Here's the latest update from Governor Ron Desantis on Hurricane Helene:
Thursday 5:45 p.m.
Lowndes County EMA officials say Hurricane Helene has shifted east and the whole county is now in the direct path of the storm:
Thursday 5:35 p.m.
Now is the time to get to a safe place as Hurricane Helene approaches. There are shelters open across the Big Bend region. You can find more information here: https://www.wtxl.com/weather/hurricane-center/live-updates-shelters-opening-as-evacuation-orders-are-issued-ahead-of-tropical-storm-helene
Thursday 5:25 p.m.
Here's a look at the worsening conditions in Wakulla County from WTXL's Kenzie Krueger:
Thursday 5:11 p.m.
The National Hurricane Center has just issued the latest update on the strength of Hurricane Helene and where the storm is heading:
Thursday 4:55 p.m.
Right now, we are monitoring power outages, and there are no major updates to report at this time. You can find the latest power outage information on this live blog as Hurricane Helene approaches.
WTXL's Ashley Engle spoke with the Jefferson County Sheriff about how his department is preparing for outages:
Thursday 4:37 p.m.
Many local schools have announced they will be closed tomorrow due to the expected impact from Hurricane Helene.
You can find the latest information on closures here: https://www.wtxl.com/weather/hurricane-center/developing-school-systems-closing-ahead-of-storm-see-which-districts-are-affected
Thursday 4:20 p.m.
Hurricane Helene continues to inch closer to the Big Bend. Here's the latest forecast from Chief Meteorologist Casanova Nurse:
Thursday 3:47 p.m.
ABC 27's Alberto Camargo spoke with FSU students about how they are preparing for Hurricane Helene, and a shelter that is open to currently enrolled students:
Thursday 3:30 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning including Wewahitchka, Beacon Hill, and Kinard until 4:45 p.m:
Flash Flood Warning including Wewahitchka FL, Beacon Hill FL and Kinard FL until 4:45 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/oNNSbDW97j
— NWS Tallahassee (@NWSTallahassee) September 26, 2024
Thursday 3:15 p.m.
Following Governor DeSantis’ authorization, the Florida National Guard has activated approximately 3,600 Guardsmen in support of Hurricane Helene response efforts and are pre-staging forces throughout the state to ensure we can quickly response after the storm makes landfall.
The FLNG has positioned Liaison Officers in 18 counties and has positioned seven route clearance teams for immediate action following the hurricane's landfall. Additionally, our aviation assets are positioned and ready for immediate engagement upon weather clearance.
Thursday 2:35 p.m.
In compliance with O.C.G.A 38-3-28, Bainbridge Public Safety will be enforcing a curfew for the City of Bainbridge. Please shelter in place beginning Thursday, September 26th at 6:00 p.m. to Friday,
Thursday, 2:30 p.m.
The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Helene is now a major, Category 3 storm with winds near 120 mph. Additional strengthening is expected before the storm makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend this evening.
Thursday, 1:20 p.m.
StarMetro will suspend all service at 2 p.m. Thursday.
The City's @RideStarMetro will suspend service at 2 p.m. today, 9/26. Operations will resume when it is safe to do so. pic.twitter.com/TantbHjluB
— City of Tallahassee (@CityofTLH) September 26, 2024
Thursday, 1:00 p.m.
Hurricane Helene is making its way up the Gulf and is expected to make landfall Thursday evening as a Category 3 storm. Watch the video player below for the latest forecast from meteorologist Riley Winch:
