The NBC2 First Alert Hurricane Tracking team continues to monitor Hurricane Helene as it moves northward over the Gulf of Mexico.
As of 8 p.m. Thursday, Helene is an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm with 130 mph winds.
Helene's forward motion is to the NNE at 23 mph, showing a continued speed increase.
Southwest Florida remains under a Tropical Storm Warning .
MORE: NBC2 First Alert Hurricane Guide+
A
Tornado Watch
has been also been extended for Lee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties until 6 a.m. Friday.
AStorm Surge Warning has been issued for all of coastal Southwest Florida. This means life-threatening levels of storm surge are possible in the advised area.
For coastal Collier, Lee and Charlotte County, storm surge could peak between 3-5 feet.
Because of the risk of storm surge, evacuations orders have been issued on Charlotte County's barrier islands.
Gusts have reached 60+ mph along our coast. The wind has maintained 20-30 mph inland. Wind gusts are expected to decrease overnight.
Rain bands will continue to move onshore tonight and throughout the day on Friday. The heaviest rain is expected to be near the coast with lower rain totals inland.
Rainfall totals are forecast to range from 3 to 5" in areas of coastal Collier, Lee and Charlotte Counties. For inland areas, east of I-75, rain totals will be much lower.
Keep in mind our region is particularly vulnerable to flooding coming off our wettest summer on record, running 15 inches above average for the year so far.
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