Florida on hurricane alert as Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 prompts warnings in Caribbean ahead of Helene
A potential tropical cyclone designation permits the National Hurricane Center to issue routine advisories on a system that has not yet developed into a tropical depression or tropical storm but brings a threat to land within 48 hours.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine likely to become Helene later this week
The National Hurricane Center designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine on Monday allowing forecasters to begin putting out a track for the tropical threat. PTC Nine is expected to become Hurricane Helene later this week with impacts on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
MIAMI – Millions of people from Louisiana to Florida are keeping their eyes on Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, which was designated in the Caribbean Sea on Monday. It is forecast to wreak havoc on the U.S. Gulf Coast later this week.
A potential tropical cyclone designation permits the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to issue routine advisories on a system that has not yet developed into a tropical depression or tropical storm but brings a threat of 39-plus-mph winds to land within 48 hours.
This falls within the time window of posting tropical storm and hurricane alerts, allowing the NHC to issue them with additional lead time and provide at-risk people with more advance notice of possible impacts in their area.
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Bryan Norcross: PTC Nine designated in the Caribbean
A weather pattern is forecast to be in place this week that would seem to support a powerful hurricane moving north from the Caribbean into the northern Gulf of Mexico. The consensus landfall point is near Panama City or Tallahassee in the Florida Panhandle, although some outliers are closer to Tampa Bay and over the western Panhandle.
According to the NHC, there is the potential for a dangerous and life-threatening storm surge, heavy rain and strong winds to impact the Florida Panhandle and the west coast of Florida.
"Residents in those areas should monitor the latest forecast updates and ensure they have their hurricane plan in place," the NHC said.
Florida prepares for potential impacts
![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.]()
Image 1 of 3This 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)
![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.]()
Image 2 of 3This 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)
![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.]()
Image 3 of 3This 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)
As Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine gathers strength and heads toward the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, millions of people across the region have been told to prepare for potential impacts.
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.
"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.
In Leon County, which is home to Florida’s capital of Tallahassee, sandbags are being offered to residents in anticipation of torrential rain and flooding.
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The city of Tallahassee is also making other preparations in advance of the incoming storm. City officials said crews would be working to check areas known to flood and will remove obstructions and post warnings for drivers.
"Should roads be impacted, all motorists should use caution and not drive through flooded areas or around barricades," city officials wrote on their website.
Utility crews are also getting ready to be deployed, and extra staff will be on standby in case their services are needed.
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What's the latest with Potential Tropical Cyclone 9?
(FOX Weather)
As of the latest advisory from the NHC, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is located about 130 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman and 350 miles south-southeast of the western tip of Cuba.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine has maximum sustained winds of 30 mph, and it is moving to the north at 6 mph.
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Where are watches and warnings in effect because of Potential Tropical Cyclone 9?
(FOX Weather)
A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula from Rio Lagartos to Tulum, and a Hurricane Watch from Cabo Catoche to Tulum.
A Tropical Storm Warning was also issued for portions of Cuba, including the Isle of Youth, Artemisa and Pinar del Rio. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Pinar del Rio.
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Where is Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 going?
(FOX Weather)
According to the NHC, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is expected to continue on a northwestward heading on Tuesday and Tuesday night, followed by a faster northward or north-northeastward motion on Wednesday and Thursday.
The NHC said the center of the system is forecast to move across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico during the next couple of days.