We're bringing you the most up-to-date information on Hurricane Helene as the storm nears Florida.
HURRICANE RESOURCES
Thursday, Sept. 26
8:05 p.m.
St. Petersburg had a recorded wind gust of 82 mph, the strongest so far here in Tampa Bay.
7:39 p.m.
TARPON SPRINGS PD: Reports have been received of live wires down, downed trees blocking roadways, and water covered roadways. Residents are urged to avoid travel during these dangerous conditions.
6:55 p.m.
The eye of Helene has now passed Tampa Bay.
6:26 p.m.
All bridges across Tampa Bay are now closed to drivers.
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 the Skyway, Howard Frankland, Courtney Campbell, and Gandy. Barrier Island bridges will be shut down to incoming traffic around 6 p.m. Residents still on the islands can still evacuate out on the bridges.
5:05 p.m.
The Courtney Campbell Causeway has been closed in both directions by the Florida Highway Patrol.
4:47 p.m.
Helene takes down a BP on 15th Avenue and South 24th Street in St. Petersburg. Video credit: Sevell Brown III.
4:39 p.m.
Eastbound lanes on the Courtney Campbell Causeway are being shut down due to winds and surf on the road. Westbound lanes will also close soon.
4:23 p.m.
Downed power lines were reported in St Petersburg.
𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙐𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚:
— St. Pete Police (@StPetePD) September 26, 2024
We are beginning to see downed power lines at the following locations:
- 1700 Block of 66th St N
- 900 Block of 15th Ave S
- 13th Ave N / 34th St N
Remember to treat ALL DOWNED power lines & cables as if they are live wires! If you don't know, don't go! pic.twitter.com/BkFH43UxJi
3:44 p.m.
The Howard Frankland Bridge is officially closed to drivers.
3:26 p.m.
Here's a very unique view of Hurricane Helene from the International Space Station.
3:18 p.m.
Sarasota County deputies are assisting the Sarasota County Fire Department with a structure collapse in the 300 block of 1st Street East in Nokomis.
2:39 p.m.
Helene is now officially a Category 3 hurricane with winds up to 120 mph.
1:47 p.m.
Reporter Chad Mills in Horseshoe Beach where conditions are picking up before landfall.
1:42 p.m.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay has been 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 to the east and the forecast for the Tampa Bay area is not changing.
1:28 p.m.
Officials are reminding residents to avoid going into the water and driving on flooded roads.
1:25 p.m.
Bayshore Blvd along Tampa Bay is already experiencing flooding issues long before Hurricane Helene is expected to pass west of the area.
1:07 p.m.
ABC Action News Anchor Paul LaGrone is in Tallahassee as they prepare for Hurricane Helene.
12:55 p.m.
Hillsborough County officials are asking those with non-emergency storm questions to contact their storm line at 833-427-8676.
12:35 p.m.
Reporter Robert Boyd talks to a driver on Anna Maria Island.
12:30 pm.
City of Tampa officials detail their final preparations ahead of Hurricane Helene.
12:24 p.m.
Airlines have canceled more than 1,000 flights 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 had 136 cancellations.
12:15 p.m.
The John Ringling Causeway has been shut down west of Bird Key, per FDOT.
12:05 p.m.
Reporter Keely McCormick is live in Sarasota, where winds are picking up.
11:53 am
Waves crashing into the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa. Some of the waves are cresting above the level of the road.
11:33 a.m.
Reporter Heather Leigh shows flooding down Bayshore in Tampa.
11:13 a.m.
The NHC said Helene was about 255 miles southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph and was moving north-northeast at 14 mph.
11:07 a.m.
Roads begin to flood in Tampa. Residents can use the Tampa street flooding map to check which roads are closed.
10:51 a.m.
Video from viewer Terance Eady shows minor flooding already impacting Bayshore along Tampa Bay. High tide is not for another 12 hours.
10:14 a.m.
Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties announced that their schools will remain closed on Friday, Sept. 27.
10:13 a.m.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno shares a video of flooding in Ft. Myers.
Ft Myers Beach is experiencing localized flooding. Avoid the area. Do not drive through standing water. pic.twitter.com/dMz5kw3CBt
— Carmine Marceno - Florida’s Law and Order Sheriff (@SheriffLeeFL) September 26, 2024
9:52 a.m.
Gov. Ron DeSantis provided an update on the storm.
9:49 a.m.
In the event of a power outage, ABC Action News has multiple radio partners to help keep you informed while you ride out the storm.
9:31 a.m.
Pinellas County officials stressed that all evacuations must be completed by 12 p.m. on Thursday.
9:16 a.m.
USPS is temporarily suspending operations in several Florida cities due to the approach of Hurricane Helene.
8:35 a.m.
Treasure Island is seeing major flooding in the Sunset Beach neighborhood.
Meteorologist Denis Phillips provides an update on Category 4 Hurricane Helene.