Tropical Storm Helene Threatens Cuba and Florida with Devastating Impact

Tropical Storm Helene is set to bring mudslides and flooding to Cuba before intensifying into a major hurricane and hitting Florida. Strong winds and surging seawater are expected. Florida has declared a state of emergency and begun evacuations. The storm will also affect Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and move north to Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Tropical Storm Helene is anticipated to cause significant mudslides and flooding in Cuba before intensifying into a major hurricane, expected to impact Florida by Thursday with life-threatening ocean surges, according to the U.S. National Weather Service. The storm, currently 180 miles south of Cuba's western tip, was moving northwest with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, as reported by the Miami-based National Hurricane Center on Tuesday.

Forecasters warn Helene will rapidly strengthen over the Gulf of Mexico's warm waters, potentially reaching winds of up to 115 mph. Authorities in the U.S. have cautioned residents about damaging winds and seawater flooding low-lying coastal areas of Florida's panhandle and west coast by Wednesday.

Governor Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency, and mandatory evacuation orders were in place for some regions. President Joe Biden has been briefed and is coordinating with local officials. Federal resources, including generators and emergency personnel, have been prepositioned. In western Cuba, heavy rains prompted school and port closures, and farmers protected their valuable tobacco crops. The storm's effects will also reach Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, causing disruptions in Cancun.

(With inputs from agencies.)