Hurricane Helene: Update

Mandatory evacuations are underway for some Tampa Bay communities as Hurricane Helene continues to move closer to Florida's Gulf Coast. Residents impacted are those living in Zone A or mobile homes within Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus, Manatee, Pasco, and Sarasota counties. In Hernando County, mandatory orders are in place for Zones A, B, and C. Shelters are open for people who need a place to ride out the storm. The National Hurricane Center says Helene is located about 500 miles south-southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour. It's expected to make landfall in the Big Bend area tomorrow night. While we may not experience direct impacts of Helene, Northwest Florida is playing a role in helping bring vital resources to the areas that will. The Pensacola fairgrounds serve as a Florida power and light processing site for crews making their way across the south to help storm-affected areas. Hundreds of trucks and resources rolled to the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds ready to make their way across the state following Helene.