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Florida Panhandle, Gulf Coast prepare for tropical threat from likely future Helene

The Florida Panhandle is no stranger to devastating hurricanes and tropical storms. In 2018, Category 5 Hurricane Michael became the strongest storm to make landfall in the Florida Panhandle. The 140-mph winds and storm surge wiped out whole communities in Mexico Beach.

By Emilee Speck Source FOX Weather

Hurricane threat ramps up for Gulf Coast as communities prepare for likely Helene

Preparations are underway in communities along the U.S. Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida as Invest 97L continues to get better organized in the Caribbean and is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm or Hurricane Helene in the coming days.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Residents and leaders on Florida’s Gulf Coast and the Panhandle aren’t wasting time getting ready for the next tropical threat taking aim at the Gulf Coast, as Tropical Storm or Hurricane Helene is likely to form this week.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine continues to gather strength as it heads toward the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center is warning millions of people across the Gulf Coast region to prepare for potential impacts, which could be felt as soon as Wednesday. 

Whether a tropical storm or hurricane, the system will bring dangerous rip currents, life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and heavy rainfall to Florida’s West Coast.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Monday declaring a state of emergency for 41 counties in the Sunshine State to help agencies prepare for the storm. 

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"We will continue to monitor the storm’s path and keep Floridians updated. Now is the time to make an emergency plan, know your evacuation zone, and be as prepared as possible for the storm," DeSantis said on X. 

This image shows Florida residents filling sandbags ahead of likely Helene in the coming days. Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine was designated in the Caribbean on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, and the system is expected to strengthen into a hurricane this week as it moves toward the U.S. Gulf Coast. (@LeonCounty/ X)

In Leon County, home to Florida’s capital Tallahassee, sandbags are being offered to residents in anticipation of torrential rain and flooding. The Tallahassee city government is also making other preparations for the incoming storm. 

Florida Panhandle has been hit hard before

The Florida Panhandle is no stranger to devastating hurricanes and tropical storms.

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A sign displayed on a home in Mexico Beach, Florida, asks FEMA for help in November 2018, a little more than a month after Hurricane Michael made landfall. (Aaron Barker)

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Piles of debris and damaged homes line a street in Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, a little more than a month after Hurricane Michael made landfall. (Aaron Barker)

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Piles of debris are seen along a road leading to Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, about a month after Hurricane Michael made landfall. (Aaron Barker)

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Damage from Hurricane Michael is seen in the Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, a little more than a month after landfall. (Aaron Barker)

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Damage from Hurricane Michael is seen in the Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, a little more than a month after landfall. (Aaron Barker)

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A pile of debris is seen in Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, about a month after Hurricane Michael made landfall. (Aaron Barker)

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A pile of debris is seen outside a home in Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, about a month after Hurricane Michael made landfall. (Aaron Barker)

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Debris is piled outside a home in Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, about a month after Hurricane Michael made landfall. (Aaron Barker)

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Damage from Hurricane Michael is seen in the Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, a little more than a month after landfall. (Aaron Barker)

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Damage from Hurricane Michael is seen in the Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, a little more than a month after landfall. (Aaron Barker)

In 2018, Hurricane Michael became the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Florida since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Areas of the Panhandle from Panama City Beach to Mexico Beach continue to rebuild after the storm’s 140-mph winds and storm surge devastated beach towns.

Monday marks 49 years since Hurricane Eloise made landfall as a major hurricane east of Fort Walton Beach and Destin. The 1975 storm was the first major hurricane to hit the Panhandle region in 40 years, according to the National Weather Service.