DeSoto County Under Tropical Storm Warning and Flood Watch

Tropical Storm Helene centered in the northwest Caribbean Sea is forecast to lift into the southern Gulf of Mexico today and continue to strengthen through Thursday as it moves northeast through the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Widespread tropical impacts are expected across West-Central and Southwest Florida beginning tonight and Thursday.

WIND: LATEST LOCAL FORECAST
Peak Wind Forecast: 25-35 mph with gusts to 60 mph

WIND: THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY
The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force. PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect property should be completed as soon as possible. Prepare for limited wind damage. ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous.

WIND: POTENTIAL IMPACTS
Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. Scattered power and communications outages.

STORM SURGE: THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY
The storm surge threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. PLAN: There is little to no threat of storm surge flooding. Rough surf, coastal erosion, and life-threatening rip currents are possible. PREPARE: Little to no preparations for storm surge flooding are needed. ACT: Follow the instructions of local officials. Monitor forecasts.

STORM SURGE: POTENTIAL IMPACTS
Little to no potential impacts from storm surge flooding.

FLOODING RAIN: LATEST LOCAL FORECAST
Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts

FLOODING RAIN: THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY
The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible. PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life.

FLOODING RAIN: POTENTIAL IMPACTS
Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

TORNADO: LATEST LOCAL FORECAST
Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes

TORNADO: THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY
The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a few tornadoes. PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives. ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly.

TORNADO: POTENTIAL IMPACTS
The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and boats pulled from moorings.