As Helene approaches Florida here’s what you need to know

FPREN – Nearly the entire state of Florida is under a state of emergency after new predictions came out from the National Hurricane Center. Helene is forecast to not only be a major hurricane at landfall in the Big Bend of Florida, but Helene is also expected to grow in geographically size meaning it will impact more Florida over the next 48-72 hours.

The earliest storm-force winds arrival time for Helene, according to the NHC, is Wednesday morning for the Keys, Wednesday evening for southwest Florida, and Thursday morning for the northern Gulf Coast.

A storm surge watch for Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and Indian Pass south to Flamingo, at the tip of the Florida Peninsula. A hurricane watch between Englewood and Indian Pass and Tampa Bay and a tropical storm watch from Flamingo to Walton County, as well as parts of the Keys.

State officials say now is the time to review your hurricane plan and make sure that you are executing your hurricane preparedness plan. You have gas tanks filled, water, non-perishable food that will last you, particularly when you have power outages. Make sure to clear up any loose objects in your yard that could become a flying object in strong winds. Know your evacuation zone.

Leslie Chapman Henderson, the CEO of FLASH (Federal Alliance for Safe Homes) has some great advice for Floridians in the coming days.

The state of emergency activates government agencies to address power outages, blocked roads, and reduced access to health services. That includes calling up the Florida National Guard as needed.

Counties under a state of emergency are eligible for increased access to services, including prescription refills up to 30 days early, shelters at public facilities, and more.

The Division of Emergency Management will provide updates, including county emergency management information, sandbag use, evacuation information, and more on its website.

If you live in a flood prone area and are worried about flooding and/or storm surge, counties that are under a state of emergency have sandbags available to residents. Check with your local municipality for more information on where to get them. You can also click this link from Florida’s Division of Emergency management to get more info on how to prepare in the coming days: https://www.floridadisaster.org/Updates

Story by FPREN Meteorologist Leslie Hudson