Southeast US under major storm warning as hurricane watch issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico

By DÁNICA COTO
Updated 9:10 PM CDT, September 23, 2024

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane watches were issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico on Monday as a cluster of storms located south of the Cayman Islands was expected to strengthen into a major hurricane in upcoming days while moving north toward the U.S., forecasters said.

The disturbance is forecast to become Hurricane Helene on Wednesday as it approaches the Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

“It could certainly become a major hurricane, which is Category 3,” Brad Reinhart, a senior hurricane specialist at the center, said in a phone interview. “People in the Florida Panhandle and the west coast of Florida certainly need to pay close attention.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 41 counties on Monday as a result of the expected storm.

More:
https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-us-tropical-storm-hurricane-helene-a1582935d0b9002bc8993b483c203206



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