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Life-threatening storm surge up to 20 feet possible from Hurricane Helene

Peak Storm Surge Forecast at 5pm 9/25
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Hurricane Helene's arrival in Florida is expected to bring a life-threatening storm surge of up to 20 feet for some parts of the state.

A Storm Surge Warning is in place for the entire Florida coastline, including the Tampa Bay region. Remember: hide from the wind; run from the water.

The worst storm surge is expected to be from Citrus County northward around the Big Bend to approximately Carrabelle. A storm surge of 15-20 feet above ground level is possible across all of that region and residents along the coast are being encouraged to evacuate.

Forecast Storm Surge Values

  • Citrus County and northward: 15 - 20 feet
  • Hernando and Pasco County: 8 - 15 feet
  • Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee Counties: 5 - 8 feet
  • Sarasota County: 4 - 7 feet

The life-threatening storm surge could start to retreat after midnight Friday morning.

Here's more information about storm surge and an explanation of storm surge warnings:

Storm Surge Explained
Storm Surge Warning Explainer

HURRICANE RESOURCES

A South Tampa man turned to Susan Solves It after he said ADT told him he had to keep paying for a security system at his Hurricane Helene-damaged home, even though the system was so new that he never had a day of service.

ADT tells man to keep paying for security at hurricane destroyed home