Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Lower Keys, Key West; Tropical Storm Watch for Middle Keys

The National Hurricane Center Tuesday issued a tropical storm warning for Florida Keys regions southwest of the Seven Mile Bridge through the Dry Tortugas in preparation for the passage of Tropical Storm Helene, which is forecast to become a very large, major hurricane by the time the core makes landfall in an area likely around Florida’s Big Bend.

The region of the warning area includes Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys as well as Key West.

The NHC also issued a tropical storm watch for areas southwest of the Channel 5 Bridge through Marathon.

For the warning area, there is a 31 percent chance of sustained tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph to 57 mph. From North Key Largo through Marathon, chances of sustained tropical storm-force winds range from 10 to 20 percent. Chances of sustained tropical storm-force winds above 57 mph are 1 percent or less for the entire contiguous Keys island chain, said Jon Rizzo, warning coordination meteorologist for the Florida Keys National Weather Service office.

During a Monroe County Emergency Management coordinating call Tuesday, Rizzo cited possible Keys impacts including:

• Potential storm surge flooding in excess of 1 to 3 feet above ground level in some areas, especially the Lower Keys and Key West. A coastal flood watch has been issued for all the Florida Keys beginning Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.
  
  
• Frequent thundery squalls with wind gusts up to 65 mph, combined with the possibility of sustained tropical storm-force winds (39 mph+), especially over the lower portions of the Keys. These winds will most likely arrive late Wednesday afternoon or evening.
  
  
• Heavy rainfall with amounts most likely in the 2- to 4-inch range, and possibly higher in a few locations, through Friday.

During Tuesday’s conference, Monroe County Emergency Management Director Shannon Weiner said that her office was closely monitoring the system, but did not announce any protective actions.

As a precautionary measure and to qualify for federal support and funding reimbursement if needed, a local state of emergency is be issued Tuesday. Meanwhile, Weiner scheduled another call Wednesday morning to discuss any needed responses.

Officials urged residents and visitors in the Keys to closely monitor the future progress of the system and to take personal safeguards, which include securing boats and loose outdoor objects from likely strong wind gusts.

The next tourism advisory for Tropical Storm Helene is to be issued Wednesday morning, unless needed earlier.