Hurricane Helene – UPDATE #6 – 9/25/2024
University of Florida officials are actively monitoring Hurricane Helene, which was upgraded from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane, according to the 11 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center. While much remains unknown about the storm’s exact path, here is what we know:
Hurricane Helene is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges, damaging winds, and flooding rains to large sections of Florida. The storm has sustained winds of 73 mph.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for portions of Alachua County, including Gainesville, as of the advisory. Additionally, portions of Alachua County west of Interstate 75 are under a Hurricane Warning.
This means forecasters expect the Gainesville campus will begin to experience tropical storm-force winds within the next 36 hours.
The National Weather Service in Jacksonville is forecasting wind speeds in the Gainesville area of 25 to 35 mph, and gusts of up to 65 mph. A Flood Watch is also in effect, with expected rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches and the potential for localized flooding.
Helene is expected to make landfall along the Florida Panhandle or Big Bend region of Northeast Florida, as a major Category 3 hurricane, around sunset Thursday. The storm’s wind field is expected to grow to a very large size, with tropical storm-force winds expected to extend outward up to 175 miles from its center.
University of Florida offices will close and classes will be canceled beginning at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 and will reopen and resume normal operations at 7 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
All academic and student-related activities, including online classes and exams, will also be canceled during that time.
Online students who live in the path of the storm beyond the Gainesville campus are encouraged to immediately contact their instructors to discuss whether special accommodations can be made.
Essential UF employees should check with their supervisors regarding scheduling.
Units outside of Alachua County should follow the guidance and closures of their local governments.
UF units in the eastern Panhandle, Big Bend, and North Florida as well as anywhere in the state within a watch or warning area should plan to finalize preparations by tonight.
Students, faculty, and staff should monitor ongoing forecasts, review personal plans, and use Wednesday to prepare, including reviewing their emergency kit. Additional preparedness information is available at: https://emergency.ufl.edu/get-ready.
Regularly check the UF homepage for updates. Any announcements regarding operational changes will be made through official UF channels, including the UF Alert Emergency Notification System.
For additional information, please visit National Hurricane Center.
Additional key links:
Commonly asked questions for UF students
Alachua County Helene updates
Here’s how to prepare for hurricane season
Pre-storm preparation for students in UF housing
UF/IFAS Disaster Preparation & Recovery
This update was posted at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
