Helene Update: Storm Will Be ‘Major Hurricane’ When It Hits Florida

Tropical Storm Helene, soon to be a major hurricane, is making its way towards Florida’s Big Bend Coast on Wednesday. Here’s the latest from the National Hurricane Center (NHC):

As of Wednesday at 2 p.m. EST, Helene was located just under 500 miles from Tampa, Florida, moving northwest at 10 mph. The storm is expected to turn toward the north and increase in forward speed later today and into Thursday morning, hitting the Florida Big Bend coast by Thursday evening.

When it hits, Helene is expected to be a “major hurricane,” which will weaken over land, but will continue to produce strong, damaging winds.

The NHC is telling everyone in the storm’s path that “preparations to protect life and property from storm surge and damaging winds along the Florida Big Bend Coast should be rushed to completion today.”

Here are the expected arrival times of Helene’s winds:

Watches and warnings

The storm warnings and watches for Helene remain relatively unchanged from Wednesday morning’s update. As of Wednesday afternoon, the NHC has the following warnings and watches out:

• Hurricane Warning (hurricane conditions expected within 36 hours) for the area of Anclote River to Mexico Beach in Florida, and Cabo Catoche to Tulum in Mexico, which includes Cozumel.
• Hurricane Watch (hurricane conditions possible within 48 hours) for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio, the area in Florida from Englewood to Anclote River, which includes Tampa Bay.
• Tropical Storm Warning (tropical storm conditions expected within 36 hours) for the Dry Tortugas, all of the Florida Keys, the Florida east coast from Flamingo northward to Altamah Soud, Georgia, and Lake Okeechobee.
• Tropical Storm Watch (tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours) for the Georgia and South Carolina coast north of Altamaha Sound to the South Santee River.

Cruise changes

Several cruise ports in Florida are at Yankee status, which means the ports are restricted as extreme conditions are expected within 24 hours. Those include Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, and Port Canaveral.

At least five cruise lines have already been impacted by the storm, with one so far being forced to extend its sailing by a full day.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Paradise replaced its planned visit to Cozumel today with Costa Maya, while Carnival Valor’s visit to Cozumel was simply canceled. Carnival Breeze also canceled its stop in Cozumel — scheduled for this Thursday — and replaced it with a visit to Progreso.

Carnival Horizon’s visit to Grand Cayman on Wednesday was canceled. The ship’s visit to Cozumel on Thursday was canceled and replaced by a visit to Amber Cove. 

Royal Caribbean

Additionally, several Royal Caribbean ships are sailing amended itineraries including Serenade of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas, which were both meant to be sailing in the Western Caribbean. Instead, both ships are visiting Nassau and Freeport in The Bahamas. Wonder of the Seas replaced its entire Western Caribbean itinerary with an Eastern Caribbean sailing, with stops in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, while Independence of the Seas also replaced a Western Caribbean port (Cozumel) with Nassau.

Mariner of the Seas skipped a scheduled call on Cozumel as well but was able to dock in Costa Maya on Monday.

MSC Cruises

Two MSC ships are also sailing amended itineraries including MSC Seascape, which swapped Western Caribbean for Eastern Caribbean, and MSC Seashore, which is actually extending its four-night sailing by at least one day to ensure it can dock safely back in Port Canaveral. (The ship’s next sailing will be shortened by one day.)

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Fantasy swapped out its planned port of call to Grand Cayman on Tuesday for a day at sea.

Virgin Voyages

Valiant Lady skipped its visit to Cozumel on Tuesday for a day at sea, but will add in a visit to Puerto Plata.

Airports prepare

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is suspending operations at 2 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, and says it will only reopen “when safe to do so.” All travelers should check directly with their airline before heading to the airport, even when the airport does reopen, which it anticipates to be on Friday.

The airport will not be open at all for public use after 2 a.m. on Thursday.  

Atlanta-Hartsfield International (ATL) said that it is now open and “has a severe weather plan in preparation for potential impacts based on the current weather forecast.” It also said that even if the storm only has minor impacts in Atlanta, severe weather across the region could impact flights.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Ft. Myers said it was still remaining open and was “not currently experiencing any operation delays due to the storm.” That could change quickly depending on Helene’s path.

For a full list of airline waivers issued so far, go to the previous Helene update.

Other updates

Universal Orlando Resort said that its Volcano Bay water park will close on Thursday, Sept. 26, but that all of its other hotels and resorts will remain “operational as we continue to monitor conditions.” It added that it expects Volcano Bay to reopen on Friday for normal operating hours.

Walt Disney World Resort is also closing its water park, Typhoon Lagoon, for Sept. 26 along with its mini-golf courses.