A potentially landmark, highly destructive tropical cyclone is brewing in the western Caribbean, now Tropical Storm Helene, forecast to rapidly intensify into a hurricane.
Computer models indicate that Tropical Storm Helene may become a major Category 3 hurricane by Thursday evening as it approaches Florida's Panhandle and Big Bend region.
The storm surge threat is particularly acute in Tampa Bay, predicting a 5-to-8-foot surge above normally dry land if Helene hits at high tide.
Helene's increase in intensity is attributed to record-high ocean surface temperatures and warm water beneath the Gulf, leading to unprecedented forecast rates from the Hurricane Center.
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