* WHAT. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE. Portions of southwest and west central Florida, including the following areas, in southwest Florida, Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, Inland Charlotte and Inland Lee. In west central Florida, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Levy, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Pasco, Coastal Sarasota, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Levy, Inland Manatee, Inland Pasco, Inland Sarasota, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter. * WHEN. Through Friday morning. * IMPACTS. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - Heavy rainfall is expected as Hurricane Helene moves across the NE Gulf of Mexico. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches, with isolated totals up to inches are expected. These higher totals may cause flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. - https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

HLSTBW This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida **HELENE INLAND OVER GEORGIA, STORM SURGE REMAINS A THREAT** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch have been cancelled for Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Pasco, and Pinellas - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled for Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Levy, Coastal Pasco, and Inland Levy - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Inland Charlotte, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Lee, Inland Manatee, Inland Sarasota, Polk, and Sumter * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Lee, Coastal Levy, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Pasco, Coastal Sarasota, and Pinellas * STORM INFORMATION: - About 250 miles north of Cedar Key FL - 32.8N 83.0W - Storm Intensity 70 mph - Movement North or 360 degrees at 30 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Helene is now well inland over Georgia. The storm has now been downgraded to a tropical storm, and will continue to pull away through the day. As such, all wind watches and warnings have been cancelled. However, an onshore wind will continue to keep water levels elevated through the day. Life- threatening storm surge continues this morning. * Storm Surge - Life threatening storm surge is occurring.Values of 5 to feet are occurring from Chassahowitzka to Suwannee River, 4 to 7 feet from Anclote River to Chassahowitzka, 3 to 5 feet from Englewood to Anclote River including Tampa Bay, and 2 to 4 feet from Bonita Beach to Englewood including Charlotte Harbor. While water levels are expected to continue receding, an onshore wind flow favors elevated water levels through the day. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across he Nature Coast, West-Central Florida, and Southwest Florida. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having additional impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible. - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and stranded. Elsewhere across West Central and Southwest Florida, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS:Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Ruskin FL around 12PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

* WHAT. Southwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and seas 9 to 14 ft. * WHERE. Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound and Coastal waters from Bonita Beach to Englewood FL out 20 NM. * WHEN. Until 2 AM EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

* WHAT. Southwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and seas 10 to 15 ft. * WHERE. Tampa Bay waters, Coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 NM and Waters from Bonita Beach to Englewood FL out 20 to 60 NM. * WHEN. Until 2 AM EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

* WHAT. Southwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and seas 13 to 18 ft. * WHERE. Coastal waters from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River FL out 20 NM, Waters from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River FL out 20 to 60 NM and Waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 to 60 NM. * WHEN. Until 2 AM EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED - St. Petersburg - Clearwater - Largo * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 25-35 mph with gusts to 45 mph - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Wind less than 39 mph - The wind threat has decreased from the previous assessment. - PLAN: The threat of hazardous wind has subsided. - PREPARE: Heed instructions from local officials when moving about. Avoid restricted areas. - ACT: Dial 9 1 1 if you have a life-threatening emergency. Practice safety when moving about. - REALIZED IMPACTS: Being Assessed - Little to no additional wind impacts expected. Community officials are now assessing the extent of actual wind impacts accordingly. * STORM SURGE - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Life-threatening storm surge possible - Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 3-5 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas - Window of concern: through this afternoon - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for storm surge flooding greater than 3 feet above ground - The storm surge threat has decreased from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Shelter against life-threatening storm surge of greater than 3 feet above ground. - PREPARE: Flood preparations and ordered evacuations should be complete. Evacuees should be in shelters well away from storm surge flooding. - ACT: Remain sheltered in a safe location. Do not venture outside. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Unfolding - Potential impacts from the main surge event are unfolding. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect - Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional around 1 inch - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Little or no potential for flooding rain - The flooding rain threat has decreased from the previous assessment. - PLAN: There is little or no potential for flooding rain. - PREPARE: Little to no preparations are needed to protect against flooding rain at this time. - ACT: Monitor for changes to the forecast. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None - Little to no potential impacts from flooding rain. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Tornadoes not expected - The tornado threat has decreased from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds may still occur. - PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest tornado situation. - ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None - Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - https://www.weather.gov/tbw

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Florida. Little Manatee River At Wimauma at US 301 affecting Hillsborough County. .Rainfall from Hurricane Helene will cause water levels to rise into flood stage for the next few days. For the Little Manatee. including Wimauma at US 301. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Little Manatee River at Wimauma at US 301. * WHEN. From Friday afternoon until further notice. * IMPACTS. At 11.0 feet, The river overflows its banks. At 13.0 feet, The canoe rental area floods. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 7:00 PM EDT Thursday the stage was 6.0 feet. - Bankfull stage is 11.0 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise above flood stage tomorrow afternoon and continue rising to a crest of 14.0 feet Saturday evening. - Flood stage is 11.0 feet. - Flood History. This crest compares to a previous crest of 14.0 feet on 08/28/1995. - https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Florida. Little Manatee River At Wimauma at US 301 affecting Hillsborough County. Manatee River Near Myakka Head at SR 64 affecting Manatee County. . The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Florida. Alafia River At Riverview near US 301 affecting Hillsborough County. .Rainfall from Hurricane Helene will cause water levels on several area rivers to rise into flood stage over the next few days. For the Alafia. including Lithia , Riverview near US 301. Major flooding is forecast. For the Little Manatee. including Wimauma at US 301. Minor flooding is forecast. For the Manatee. including Myakka Head at SR 64, Rye Bridge. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Manatee River near Myakka Head at SR 64. * WHEN. From Friday afternoon until further notice. * IMPACTS. At 11.0 feet, Private road and bridge 1 mile downstream flood. Agricultural, rural Kibler area begins to flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 8:15 PM EDT Thursday the stage was 5.4 feet. - Bankfull stage is 7.0 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise above flood stage tomorrow afternoon and continue rising to a crest of 12.6 feet Saturday morning. - Flood stage is 11.0 feet. - Flood History. This crest compares to a previous crest of 12.6 feet on 07/18/1975. - https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Florida. Little Manatee River At Wimauma at US 301 affecting Hillsborough County. Manatee River Near Myakka Head at SR 64 affecting Manatee County. . The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Florida. Alafia River At Riverview near US 301 affecting Hillsborough County. .Rainfall from Hurricane Helene will cause water levels on several area rivers to rise into flood stage over the next few days. For the Alafia. including Lithia , Riverview near US 301. Major flooding is forecast. For the Little Manatee. including Wimauma at US 301. Minor flooding is forecast. For the Manatee. including Myakka Head at SR 64, Rye Bridge. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Little Manatee River at Wimauma at US 301. * WHEN. From Friday afternoon until further notice. * IMPACTS. At 14.5 feet, Flooding of several houses begins near 32nd and 33rd streets in Ruskin. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 8:00 PM EDT Thursday the stage was 6.1 feet. - Bankfull stage is 11.0 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise above flood stage early tomorrow afternoon and continue rising to a crest of 14.4 feet Saturday evening. - Flood stage is 11.0 feet. - Flood History. This crest compares to a previous crest of 14.4 feet on 07/06/1968. - https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Florida. Alafia River At Riverview near US 301 affecting Hillsborough County. For the Alafia. including Riverview near US 301. Major flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Major flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. This approaches the flood of record. * WHERE. Alafia River at Riverview near US 301. * WHEN. Until early tomorrow afternoon. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 11:00 PM EDT Thursday the stage was 8.2 feet. - Bankfull stage is 4.2 feet. - Recent Activity. The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 11:00 PM EDT Thursday was 8.2 feet. - Forecast. The river will oscillate above flood stage with a maximum value of 9.1 feet just after midnight tonight. It will fall below flood stage tomorrow morning. - Flood stage is 4.2 feet. - Flood History. No available flood history. - https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Florida. Alafia River At Riverview near US 301 affecting Hillsborough County. For the Alafia. including Riverview near US 301. Major flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Major flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. This approaches the flood of record. * WHERE. Alafia River at Riverview near US 301. * WHEN. Until late this afternoon. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 1:00 AM EDT Friday the stage was 9.4 feet. - Bankfull stage is 4.2 feet. - Recent Activity. The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 1:00 AM EDT Friday was 9.4 feet. - Forecast. The river will oscillate above flood stage with a maximum value of 9.7 feet early this morning. It will fall below flood stage late this morning. - Flood stage is 4.2 feet. - Flood History. No available flood history. - https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Florida. Alafia River At Riverview near US 301 affecting Hillsborough County. For the Alafia. including Riverview near US 301. Major flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Major flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. This approaches the flood of record. * WHERE. Alafia River at Riverview near US 301. * WHEN. Until this afternoon. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 4:00 AM EDT Friday the stage was 6.7 feet. - Bankfull stage is 4.2 feet. - Recent Activity. The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 4:00 AM EDT Friday was 9.4 feet. - Forecast. The river will oscillate above flood stage with a maximum value of 5.8 feet early this morning. It will fall below flood stage this morning. - Flood stage is 4.2 feet. - Flood History. This crest compares to a previous crest of 6.6 feet on 08/30/2023. - https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Florida. Little Manatee River At Wimauma at US 301 affecting Hillsborough County. . The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Florida. Manatee River Near Myakka Head at SR 64 affecting Manatee County. For the Little Manatee. including Wimauma at US 301. Minor flooding is forecast. For the Manatee. including Myakka Head at SR 64, Rye Bridge. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Manatee River near Myakka Head at SR 64. * WHEN. From Friday morning to Sunday afternoon. * IMPACTS. At 11.0 feet, Private road and bridge 1 mile downstream flood. Agricultural, rural Kibler area begins to flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 11:15 PM EDT Thursday the stage was 6.7 feet. - Bankfull stage is 7.0 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise above flood stage tomorrow morning to a crest of 12.2 feet tomorrow evening. It will then fall below flood stage late Sunday morning. - Flood stage is 11.0 feet. - Flood History. This crest compares to a previous crest of 12.2 feet on 07/02/1974. - https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Florida. Little Manatee River At Wimauma at US 301 affecting Hillsborough County. . The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Florida. Manatee River Near Myakka Head at SR 64 affecting Manatee County. For the Little Manatee. including Wimauma at US 301. Minor flooding is forecast. For the Manatee. including Myakka Head at SR 64, Rye Bridge. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Little Manatee River at Wimauma at US 301. * WHEN. From Friday afternoon until further notice. * IMPACTS. At 14.5 feet, Flooding of several houses begins near 32nd and 33rd streets in Ruskin. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 11:00 PM EDT Thursday the stage was 6.5 feet. - Bankfull stage is 11.0 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise above flood stage early tomorrow afternoon and continue rising to a crest of 14.4 feet Saturday evening. - Flood stage is 11.0 feet. - Flood History. This crest compares to a previous crest of 14.4 feet on 07/06/1968. - https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood