A tornado watch has been issued for 17 million people in Florida until 8 p.m. ET due to the effects of Helene. This watch encompasses major cities such as Tampa, Miami, Fort Myers, and Orlando, putting a significant population at risk.
The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted the threat posed by Helene's large size and fast forward speed, indicating a broad region extending from Florida and Georgia into the Carolinas that may experience tornado activity. The center warns that as Helene's rain bands move across the Florida Peninsula during the day, other outer bands could potentially affect parts of Georgia, South Carolina, and eventually North Carolina by tonight.
