Tropical Storm Helene: FL Evacuations Ordered Ahead Of Storm

FLORIDA — Floridians in several counties have been ordered to evacuate their homes ahead of Tropical Storm Helene, which is expected to gain strength in the coming days before its expected landfall on the state's northern Gulf Coast.

Gov. Ron DeSantis updated a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon to include 61 of Florida’s 67 counties as Helene barrels across the Caribbean Sea. The storm is expected to intensify to near hurricane strength by early Wednesday and could be a major hurricane as it approaches the northern U.S. Gulf Coast on Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said.

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Hurricane and storm surge watches are in place for much of Florida’s west coast, while tropical storm watches are in place for areas just inland.

“Now is the time to start preparing. If you’re in an evacuation zone, you should evacuate,” said Lisa Bucci, a specialist at the National Hurricane Center. “Don’t be fooled by the way the storm looks at the moment.”

As of 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders had been implemented in 12 Florida counties.

Here's a look at evacuation statuses in the Tampa Bay area:

Hillsborough County

• No evacuation orders are in place

Manatee County

• No evacuation orders are in place

Pasco County

• No evacuation orders are in place

Pinellas County

• Evacuation Order: Mandatory
• Evacuation Info: Pinellas County has not yet ordered evacuations for residents; however, the county has started mandatory evacuations of long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and hospitals in Zone A.

Polk County

• No evacuation orders are in place

Sarasota County

• Evacuation Order: Information
• Evacuation Info: Starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday, an evacuation order will be in place for Level A manufactured communities and those in the following neighborhoods: Hatchett Creek and Curry Creek in Venice, and Fort Creek in Englewood.

Other counties under evacuation orders Tuesday included:

Charlotte County

• Evacuation Order: Mandatory
• Evacuation Info: Evacuations have been ordered for barrier islands, low-lying and flood prone areas, manufactured homes, and homes that don’t meet 1995 building codes.

Citrus County

• Evacuation Order: Information
• Evacuation Info: Mandatory evacuations are in place for all of ZONE A and/or any structure countywide not capable of withstanding tropical storm force winds or greater beginning at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Franklin County

• Evacuation Order: Mandatory
• Evacuation Info: Franklin County issued a mandatory evacuation for all barrier islands (St. George Island, Dog Island, Bald Point, and Alligator Point), low-lying and flood-prone areas, especially along the coast and rivers, mobile homes, and RV parks effective noon Tuesday. Additional evacuations may be issued at a later time.

Gulf County

• Evacuation Order: Mandatory
• Evacuation Info: All non-residents and all recreational vehicles in Indian Pass, Cape San Blas and Simmons Bayou must be evacuated by 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Wakulla County

• Evacuation Order: Mandatory
• Evacuation Info: All zones in Wakulla County are under a mandatory evacuation order. Citizens and visitors are asked to evacuate by no later than 8 a.m. Thursday.

Voluntary evacuation orders were also issued in Baker, Gadsden, Jefferson, Suwannee and Union counties.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.