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Steve Weagle: Here's what you need to know about Helene

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WPTV First Alert Weather Chief Meteorologist Steve Weagle has this to say about Hurricane Helene and its impact to Florida:

Helene is a Category 4 hurricane as it comes ashore near Perry, Florida, around 11:10 p.m. ET. Maximum sustained winds of 140 mph.

The storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida, the National Hurricane Center said Thursday.

This is a potentially catastrophic hurricane for Big Bend and parts of the Panhandle in the direct path of Hurricane Helene, NHC said. Storm surge is the greatest threat to loss of life.

Helene is moving north-northeast at 23 mph in the Gulf of Mexico and maximum sustained winds have increased to 130 mph.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 310 miles.

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Tropical storm wind probabilities in Florida for Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 due to Hurricane Helene.

A continued fast motion to the north-northeast is expected through landfall in the Big Bend this evening, the NHC said.

This will bring the center of Helene to the coast of the Big Bend at around 9 p.m.

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The Big Bend region and parts of the Florida Panhandle are under a hurricane warning.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.

A tornado watch remains in effect for Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties until 8 p.m. The tornado watch for Palm Beach County was canceled just before 5 p.m.

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A flood watch continues for the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County south to Miami.

We can expect between 2 to 4 inches of total rain. Flooding is possible in areas with lingering thunderstorm feeder bands.

TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide

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Here's what we can expect to see in the coming days:

THURSDAY

Helene triggered multiple tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings in Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties on Thursday morning.

Most of our viewing area is under a marginal risk of severe weather — the lowest tier — on Thursday. However, Okeechobee County and the northern Treasure Coast are under a slight risk, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Helene has strengthened into a major Category 4 hurricane with 130 mph winds and is expected to make landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on Thursday at 9 p.m.

A tornado watch remains in effect for Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties until 8 p.m.

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Tropical, heavy downpours are expected for Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast during the day and night with gusty, sustained winds over 40 mph.

The outer rain bands have the potential to produce a tornado in our viewing area.

FRIDAY

A lot of tropical moisture will continue to move across South Florida. However, it won't be as windy.

Flood watch remains for the entire viewing area until the morning.

Hurricane Helene forecast to become category 4 storm

Frequently asked questions from viewers:

Is there school on Friday?
All public schools in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties will reopen Friday.

More on reopenings here.

Due to the wind and rain we will get, do we need to put up storm shutters and secure patio furniture?

Storm shutters are not needed for those in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.

However, securing patio furniture or bringing it inside is advised.

Read more of WPTV's coverage of Hurricane Helene below:

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Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Florida's Big Bend as Category 4 storm

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2024 STORM NAMES

Alberto

Beryl

Chris

Debby

Ernesto

Francine

Gordon

Helene

Isaac

Joyce

Kirk

Leslie

Milton

Nadine

Oscar

Patty

Rafael

Sara

Tony

Valerie

William

TERMS TO KNOW

TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.

HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

HURRICANE WARNING: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.