Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine – UPDATE #2 – 9/24/2024
University of Florida officials are actively monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine. While much remains unknown about the storm’s exact path, here is what we know today:
Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is expected to intensify while it moves northward over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, becoming Hurricane Helene, and could be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida coast on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center, which has issued a Hurricane Watch, Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch for parts of the Gulf Coast.
The official NHC forecast currently indicates Category 2 at landfall. The center is expected to make landfall in the Nature Coast or Big Bend area with the strongest winds near and to the right of the center. By late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, tropical storm winds will begin and increase to hurricane strength at landfall.
According to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, a flood watch is in effect from Wednesday evening through Friday morning for several counties in North Central Florida, including eastern Alachua and Hamilton counties, Central Marion, Gilchrist, Columbia and Suwannee counties. Flash flooding in these areas is predicted from excessive rainfall.
For the UF campus in Gainesville, tropical storm conditions are possible on Thursday, depending on the storm’s exact track, with a forecast of 2 to 6 inches of rainfall expected.
As of today, no operational changes have been announced for the UF campus in Gainesville. However, all UF units statewide – especially in the Panhandle, Big Bend, and North Florida – should closely monitor forecasts and follow guidance from local officials.
We will continue to monitor and update all on expected impacts or schedule changes as information becomes available.
Students, faculty, and staff should monitor ongoing forecasts, review personal plans and use the next few days to prepare, including reviewing their emergency kit. Additional preparedness information is available at: https://emergency.ufl.edu/get-ready.
Additional information:
Here’s how to prepare for hurricane season
Pre-storm preparation for students in UF housing
UF/IFAS Disaster Preparation & Recovery
