An extreme wind warning has been issued for parts of Florida

We’ll provide you with the latest information on Hurricane Helene as the storm approaches Florida.

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Hurricane Resources

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Thursday, September 26th

10:33 p.m
Wind and rain are increasing in the Big Bend area of ​​Florida.

Check out Chad Mills’ report:

Winds and rain in Dixie County from Hurricane Helene

10:00 p.m

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog Thursday after his 36-foot sailboat became disabled and began taking on water off the coast of Sanibel Island.

#Break @USCG airfield #Clearwater rescued a man and his dog during the hurricane on Thursday #Helene after his 36-foot sailboat became disabled and began taking on water about 25 miles off Sanibel Island. Call #USCG For help with VHF Ch. 16 or dial 911 for storm emergencies. #SAR pic.twitter.com/DtdyouxfMN

– USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) September 27, 2024

9:45 p.m

An Extreme Wind Warning has been issued for the Big Bend area. This does not include downtown Tallahassee.

9:40 p.m

U.S. 301 from Desoto Road to Hannaway Drive is closed, HCSO said.

9:36 p.m

During Hurricane Helene, a sign fell on a car as it was traveling on I-4. Police were on scene and said one person had died.

This story is developing and will be updated as we receive more information.

A pole falls on a car on I-4

9:33 p.m

Clearwater has reached major flooding levels as Hurricane Helene’s tidal surge continues to move through the Tampa Bay region.

WFTS

9:10 p.m

A third of Pinellas County customers are without power as Helene continues to roam the area.

9:00 p.m

Conditions on Bayshore Blvd have deteriorated as floodwaters inundate the area.

Helene causes flooding on Bayshore Blvd.

8:58 p.m
It begins to rain in the Big Bend area of ​​Florida.

See update from reporter Chad Mills:

Rain begins to fall in the Big Bend area from Helene

8:39 p.m

TPD is advising motorists to avoid roads to and from the Davis Islands as there is currently severe flooding there. Access to Tampa General Hospital remains open.

8:25 p.m
Law enforcement blocks roads in Sarasota as water levels rise.

See update from reporter Kylie McGivern:

Flooded roads in Sarasota County overnight

8:05 p.m

A wind gust of 82 miles per hour was recorded in St. Petersburg, the strongest yet here in Tampa Bay.

7:39 p.m

TARPON SPRINGS PD: There are reports of downed power lines, fallen trees blocking roads and water-covered roads. Residents are urged to avoid traveling in these dangerous conditions.

Tarpon Springs PD

Tarpon Springs PD

6:55 p.m

Helene’s eye has now passed Tampa Bay.

6:26 p.m

All bridges over Tampa Bay are now closed to motorists.

6:21 p.m

The NHC said Helene is now a Category 4 hurricane.

5:29 p.m

All bridges for Pinellas County are closed including Skyway, Howard Frankland, Courtney Campbell and Gandy. The bridges on Barrier Island will be closed to inbound traffic around 6 p.m. Residents still on the islands can still evacuate via the bridges.

5:05 p.m

The Courtney Campbell Causeway was closed in both directions by the Florida Highway Patrol.

4:47 p.m

Helene attacks a BP on 15th Avenue and South 24th Street in St. Petersburg. Video credit: Sevell Brown III.

Helene destroys the BP station

4:39 p.m

The eastbound lanes on the Courtney Campbell Causeway will be closed due to wind and surf on the road. The westbound lanes will also soon be closed.

4:23 p.m

Downed power lines were reported in St. Petersburg.

3:44 p.m

The Howard Frankland Bridge is officially closed to motorists.

3:26 p.m

Here’s a unique look at Hurricane Helene from the International Space Station.

The International Space Station’s view of Hurricane Helene

3:18 p.m

Sarasota County officials are assisting the Sarasota County Fire Department with a building collapse in the 300 block of 1st Street East in Nokomis.

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office

2:39 p.m

Helene is now officially a Category 3 hurricane with winds of up to 120 miles per hour.

1:47 p.m

Reporter Chad Mills at Horseshoe Beach, where conditions are improving before landfall.

Reporter Chad Mills in Horseshoe Beach before landing

1:42 p.m

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay was closed by the Florida Highway Patrol.

1:38 p.m

ABC Action News meteorologist Greg Dee explains the science behind why Hurricane Helene is NOT turning east and the forecast for the Tampa Bay region is not changing.

Meteorologist Greg Dee explains why Helene is NOT turning east

1:28 p.m

Officials are reminding residents not to go into the water or drive on flooded roads.

HCSO

1:25 p.m

Bayshore Blvd along Tampa Bay is already experiencing flooding problems long before Hurricane Helene is expected to pass west of the area.

Watch: Bayshore Blvd in Tampa begins flooding hours before Hurricane Helene

1:07 p.m

ABC Action News anchor Paul LaGrone is in Tallahassee as they prepare for Hurricane Helene.

Paul LaGrone in Tallahassee preparing for Hurricane Helene

12:55 p.m

Hillsborough County officials ask those with questions about a non-emergency storm to contact their storm dispatch center at 833-427-8676.

12:35 p.m

Reporter Robert Boyd speaks with a driver on Anna Maria Island.

Robert Boyd lives in Manatee County | 12:30 p.m

12:30 p.m.

Tampa city officials explain their final preparations before Hurricane Helene.

Tampa city officials provide an update on Hurricane Helene

12:24 p.m

Airlines canceled more than 1,000 flights on Thursday. Southwest, American and Delta have all canceled at least 114 flights as of 12:30 p.m

Tampa International Airport, which is closed Thursday, has 422 cancellations, while Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has 136 cancellations.

12:15 p.m

The John Ringling Causeway was closed west of Bird Key, according to FDOT.

12:05 p.m

Reporter Keely McCormick is live in Sarasota, where winds are picking up.

Keely McCormick lives in Sarasota | 11:30 a.m

11:53 a.m

Waves crash against the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa. Some of the waves rise above street level.

FDOT

11:33 am

Reporter Heather Leigh shows flooding at Bayshore in Tampa.

Heather Leigh lives in Tampa

11:13 a.m

According to the NHC, Helene was located about 255 miles southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph and was moving north-northeast at 14 mph.

11:07 am

Streets begin to flood in Tampa. Residents can check which streets are closed by using the Tampa street flood map.

Tampa Police Department

10:51 am

Video from viewer Terance Eady shows minor flooding already impacting Bayshore along Tampa Bay. The flood will not begin for another 12 hours.

Watch: Hours before Hurricane Helene begins, Tampa Bay begins washing ashore

10:14 am

Hillsborough and Pinellas counties announced their schools will remain closed on Friday, September 27th.

10:13 am

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno shares video of flooding in Ft. Myers.

Fort Myers Beach is experiencing localized flooding. Avoid the area. Do not drive through standing water. pic.twitter.com/dMz5kw3CBt

— Carmine Marceno – Florida Law and Order Sheriff (@SheriffLeeFL) September 26, 2024

9:52 am

Governor Ron DeSantis provided an update on the storm.

9:49 a.m

In the event of a power outage, ABC Action News has several radio partners to keep you informed as you weather the storm.

WFTS

9:31 am

Pinellas County officials stressed that all evacuations must be completed by noon Thursday.

9:16 a.m

Due to the approach of Hurricane Helene, USPS is temporarily suspending operations in several Florida cities.

8:35am

Treasure Island is experiencing severe flooding in the Sunset Beach neighborhood.