Tropics Update: Major Hurricane Helene a Category 4 storm at Florida landfall

A special advisory just came down from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Hunter aircraft determined that Helene is now a Category 4 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. Helene has sustained winds of 130 mph with gusts up to 155 mph and was located 100 west-northwest of Tampa at 6pm., in the very warm waters of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center is now predicting that this storm may intensify further ahead of landfall Thursday night in Florida.

[roberterickson]

Never seen this guy before; polished, articulate, informative. Well done!

[Nisestory]

He did an awesome job describing everything as a whole. I will follow him.

[TheDesperateHomemaker]

Thank you so much for your very informative and helpful report!

[SheilaAdkinson]

Good luck for everyone in Georgia hope it's not too hard for y'all 👍✌️ from Florida.

[headfella]

Gosh I pray nobody looses their life and all pets are safe at home! Chris in Winnipeg Canada. Best of luck to all in the path of this monster!

[cassiecavataio]

This thing is a monster. My high school best friend is just out of Tampa and I haven't heard back from her today. Praying for all of you down there from Detroit MI.

[GuessyouRankGL]

This thing is going to hit hard. I haven't seen a hurricane like this in a while and I have seen a lot

[goldmoon]

S Georgia has a lot of poverty. Lots of livestock and chicken farms along with the timber industry.
The people are going to be hurting 😢

[toshinanorwood]

You’re so thorough, I skip Fox News to watch your broadcasts

[edwardroche]

Nice weather map thanks for not standing in front of it

[FrankieLovesElvis]

Here in Roanoke, Virginia the wind is already crazy!!! 😮

[ThomasH-uxlz]

I guess I got out of Daytona Beach before it hit I hope everybody's there is okay

[halow]

This thing is another Ian. It's crazy

[BigJohnson]

My ex-wife is named Helene, she was a disaster too💩

[seanpinkney]

Sean Pinkney Ladawn do you please pass the storm past the flood right now

[closjo]

It’s too bad you did not talk about the hurricane in the pasific John …

[Patrick-yhyd]

The eye big and disorganized. No way a 4.

[HeyMichaelLeo]

I track the real windspeeds in real time. They are currently @ 10 pm 85 at the highest. That makes this a cat (1) the real problem with this one is the surge. Would y'all just be honest for once, stop trying to scare everyone.

[gemanscombe]

Maybe the former president could help out with some emergency Sharpy action? No? Golfing in New Jersey, no doubt.

[AdamBarron-oz]

Ports on strike in October 1/3 stock up...