Good evening, Tampa Bay. We're wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.

Your Weather Planner

Heavy rain bands from Helene will be on and off throughout the day in our area.

Flash flooding will be possible.

Winds will be gusty all day with the highest winds in the afternoon and early evening.

Wind gusts could top 70 mph near the coast. 

Expect scattered power outages closer to the coast with isolated outages inland. 

Coastal flooding will peak in the evening as winds turn more onshore. 

Expect improvement after midnight as Helene pulls away quickly and water levels slowly drop. 

Read the latest on Helene's path.

 

 

Highs: 87

Lows: 80

Rain Coverage: 90%

Check your hour-by-hour forecast here | Share your weather photos

TROPICAL UPDATE

Hurricane Helene continues to strengthen

Hurricane Helene continues to move NNW with winds of 80 mph.

It will move into the Gulf of Mexico today and reach the Big Bend coast of Florida late Thursday.

It’s forecast to rapidly strengthen over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and become a major hurricane on Thursday. Read more...

 What to Expect: County by County |  Latest Forecast Track | Spaghetti Models
Sandbag Locations | School Closures
Understanding the Forecast Cone | Apps to Download for Hurricane Season
Theme Park/Attractions Closures

Today's Big Stories

1. LIVE CAMERAS: Watch Helene as it nears landfall in Florida
Watch Helene on live cameras around Mexico and the Southeast U.S.

2. Crystal River braces for storm surge from Helene a year after impacts from Idalia
With the floodwater from two recent hurricanes still fresh in everyone’s minds, both residents and business owners in Crystal River are preparing for would could be a significant storm surge.

3. Congress moving quickly to fund government, avert shutdown
Congress is expected Wednesday to give swift approval to a temporary spending bill that would keep federal agencies funded when the new fiscal year begins next Tuesday, avoiding a potential shutdown showdown just weeks before the Nov. 5 election.

4. U.S. transportation department will require transit agencies to assess and mitigate safety risks for workers
The Federal Transit Administration will require public transportation agencies nationwide to assess and mitigate safety risks for its workers, the agency announced Wednesday. The FTA's first-ever general directive was issued hours after a bus in Los Angeles was hijacked, resulting in the death of a passenger who had been shot multiple times.

5. Zelenskyy's victory plan sets Ukraine's terms in desperate war against Russia 
The victory plan that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will present to the White House this week asks the Biden administration to do something it has not achieved in the two and a half years since Russia invaded Ukraine: act quickly to support Kyiv's campaign.

6. Pet food company issues recall over salmonella, listeria concerns
Lystn, owners of ANSWERS Pet Food, issued a voluntary recall this week over certain types of its dog food after samples showed that some of it tested positive for the presence of salmonella and listeria. 

7. Zephyrhills and Pasco County seeing 'business boom' thanks to new Ready Sites program
The Ready Sites program has paved the way for companies to move to Zephyrhills at an affordable rate, such as Brazilian baked goods company Bauducco and, now, MiTek.

Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

  • RAYS AT TIGERS: The Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers resume their three-game series tonight in Detroit. The Tigers took last night's game, 2-1. Zack Littell will start on the mound for Tampa Bay, with first pitch set for 6:40 p.m.

        
           NATIONAL NOTES        

           Thursday, Sept. 26

  • President Joe Biden welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House. The two leaders discuss 'the state of the war between Russia and Ukraine, including Ukraine's strategic planning and U.S. support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression'. Vice President Kamala Harris separately meets with President Zelenskyy at the White House and discusses the administration's 'unshakeable commitment to stand with Ukraine until it prevails in this war'
  • House of Representatives Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump hearing on 'The Ongoing Investigation of the Butler, Pennsylvania Security Failure: The Secret Service's Reliance on State and Local Law Enforcement'
  • New York Appeals Court hears oral arguments in Trump Organization’s attempt to overturn civil fraud judgment
  • Unemployment weekly claims report
  • Former FOX News host Tucker Carlson continues 'Tucker Carlson Live' tour with a stop in Greenville, SC, featuring guest Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
  • Batman becomes first superhero with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • 15th Presidents Cup golf tournament: U.S. vs. International Team of non-Europeans. 

In Case You Missed It:

Emergency leaders look to boost ALERT Pinellas users

For nearly a decade, Tampa Bay residents have had access to a free notification system that addresses the full spectrum of emergencies from hurricanes, major fires, boil water notices, gas leaks and more. But with only 85,000 ALERT Pinellas subscribers, less than 10% of the Pinellas County population, county leaders are urging residents to sign up.