Hurricane Helene is expected to intensify into a major hurricane over the next 24 hours as it crosses very warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, and hurricane-force winds could spread as far as western Duval County, meteorologists say.

Northeast Florida is expected to experience at least tropical storm winds of 39 mph beginning Thursday morning, but Megan Borowski of the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network said the winds could become much stronger than that.

Hurricane-force winds would be at least 74 mph.

Helene’s wind field is expanding as it travels over the eastern Gulf. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 275 miles from the center to the east, according to an 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.

Helene is expected to reach Category 4 status with winds of at least 130 mph before making landfall Thursday morning near Carrabelle in the Panhandle.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the entire east coast of Florida, stretching into South Carolina. Northeast Florida is expected to receive 2 to 4 inches of rain, with a storm surge of 1 to 3 feet on the coast, the Hurricane Center says. Tornadoes are likely on the eastern side of the massive storm.

Article continues below

More from Jax Today

State closed probe of Jax teacher before accuser was given chance to testify, lawyer says

Florida may allow bear hunting for first time in a decade

First Coast Hispanic chamber to recognize business leaders

Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.

Borowski said conditions will deteriorate through the day Thursday.

“We have several hazards from this storm, even storm surge, 1 to 3 feet, so that is not the worst of it by any means, but 1 to 3 feet of storm surge,” Borowski said. “Rainfall of 2 to 4 inches will be widespread, but locally higher amounts are possible. We do have a tornado risk that continues to nudge upward in terms of level of risk for us throughout the day tomorrow.”

Borowski suggests people stay off the roads in Jacksonville by the middle of the day Thursday through Friday morning.

A hurricane warning has been issued from Anclote River to Mexico Beach on the Gulf Coast, and a tropical storm warning from the Tampa Bay area southward to Charlotte Harbor. A hurricane watch from Englewood to Anclote River includes Tampa Bay.

Once the system makes landfall it will slowly downgrade categories, but it will also slow down, therefore expect rain to become a big concern, especially over areas across the Southeast, where they have been dealing with drought, therefore flooding will become more likely.

Helene in Northeast Florida

People from Central Florida northward are encouraged to finish prepations for Helene by Wednesday evening.

St. Johns County schools announced Wednesday that they will close Thursday. All extracurricular and extended day programs are canceled or closed.

Public Schools in Duval, Clay, Nassau and Baker counties will close both Thursday and Friday.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority said it will shut down the St. Johns River Ferry and the JTA Skyway on Thursday.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said JTA will continue to run its normal fixed routes as long as they can do so safely.

“JTA anticipates resuming normal service on Friday, so you’re getting a theme here right,” Deegan said. “We all expect things to deteriorate on Thursday and then become better quite early really on Friday as conditions rapidly improve” 

JTA will offer free shuttles to the five shelters opening at 4 p.m. Wednesday:

• Atlantic Coast High School, 9735 R. G. Skinner Parkway, open for special medical needs, pet-friendly.
• Chaffee Trail Elementary, 11400 Sam Caruso Way, open for general population.
• The Legends Center, 5130 Soutel Drive, open for general population and special medical needs, and pet-friendly.
• Landmark Middle, 101 Kernan Blvd., open for general population, pet-friendly.
• LaVilla School of the Arts, 501 N. Davis St., open for general population.

There also will be a free shuttle service to help evacuate residents along flood-prone Ken Knight Drive every 15 to 30 minutes. That service will start at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Residents will be taken to the Legends Center.

Deegan said falling trees are the city’s biggest concern.

“We want you to make sure you are staying away from any sort of lines that those trees may have disrupted,” the mayor said. “The root system can come up and mess with water lines and other things that are buried beneath the ground. There’s also that opportunity to bring down power lines.”   

If you notice a tree down you can call 904-630-CITY to report it, but if it’s a life threatening emergency then call 911.

Meanwhile, the Nassau County supervisor of elections pushed back when it will send out vote-by-mail ballots due to the storm.

The elections office said ballots will be mailed Monday instead of Thursday because of the rainfall expected. The move will also help to ensure that ballots are secure when they are delivered, the office said.

In St. Johns County, officials announced plans to open two shelters at 8 a.m. Thursday:

• Solomon Calhoun Community Center, 1300 Duval St., St. Augustine, for general population, pet-friendly.
• St. Johns County Health and Human Services Building, 200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, special medical needs.

The St. Johns County Emergency Management Citizen Information Hotline (904-824-5550) is now open to answer questions about Helene. The hotline will remain open until 5 p.m. Wednesday and reopen at 8 a.m. Thursday.

Elsewhere in Florida

Hurricane Helene will bring heavy rain along the West Coast of Florida, the Panhandle, and North Florida. Storm surge and its huge wind field will bring life-threatening conditions and widespread power outages.

Storm surges could be as high as 15 feet along the Florida Big Bend and through the upper area of Tampa Bay. Across the Tampa Bay area storm surge could be as high as 8 feet, and Southwest Florida could experience storm search as high as 5 feet in some spots.

Rainbands will travel across the entire Peninsula. The most active day will be on Thursday as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms embedded in these rainbands could also produce a few tornadoes.

Flash floods are likely across the Panhandle along Interstate 10 from Tallahassee to Jacksonville and along Interstate 75 from North Florida to Central Florida, including Tampa. Up to 12 inches of rain are possible across the Panhandle, especially from Apalachicola to Tallahassee.