Hurricane Helene 2024 Florida Big Bend

Figure 2. DOW (Doppler on Wheels) radar loop of Hurricane Helene during landfall. Data provided courtesy of University of Alabama-Huntsville. Radar data is from their Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets (FARM). More information here.

Rainfall Amounts

Helene brought widespread rainfall of 4 to 8 inches across much of the forecast area. Some of the heaviest amounts were recorded in portions of the Apalachicola National Forest and the nearby coastline, where radar estimates indicated 10 to 18 inches of rain. While the flooding in this region was not as severe as that observed in the interior Appalachian areas, the same mechanism responsible for the heavy rainfall in the Appalachians was also at play, albeit to a lesser extent, in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend. Meteorologists refer to this phenomenon as a predecessor rainfall event (PRE).

A large upper-level trough (Figure 4) to the west of Helene helped funnel abundant tropical moisture northward well before landfall. Convergent winds, combined with an approaching cold front, created the necessary conditions to capitalize on the highly moist tropical airmass.

Locally, the heavy rainfall caused significant impacts. Many counties across the Apalachicola National Forest and portions of the Panhandle reported areas of flooding and washed-out back roads. Several primary state roads, including State Road 65, were closed at one point during the event due to the intense rainfall.

Figure 3: Radar estimated rainfall amounts during Hurricane Helene	Figure 4: Diagram showing the abundant tropical moisture and upper-level  trough/low providing the upper level support for abundant rainfall ahead of Helene's Landfall. Also known as a Predecessor Rainfall Event (PRE).

Figure 5. Long regional animated radar loop showing the heavy rainfall the fell well in advance of Helene's landfall across the Florida Big Bend. The abundant rainfall ahead of landfall is what meteorologists call a Predecessor Rainfall Event (PRE).

Wind Gusts

Helene was the second major hurricane to strike the Florida Big Bend region within 13 months, following Hurricane Idalia in late August 2023. Unlike Idalia, which was undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle during landfall and moving inland at a slower forward speed, Helene was moving very quickly for a hurricane, with wind radii among the top 10% of all tropical systems. These factors contributed to wind damage and hurricane-force gusts extending much farther inland than is typical for most tropical systems.

The wind impacts were widespread, with nearly every home and business in Taylor, Dixie, and Lafayette counties losing power due to extensive damage to power lines and trees. Numerous power outages and similar damage were also reported outside the direct path of Helene's eye. Even areas as far inland as Ben Hill County, roughly 135 miles north of the landfall location, reported over 97% of their county without power. After Helene moved through our forecast area, the damage from hurricane continued as it moved inland into northern Georgia and the Carolinas.

Figure 6: Hurricane Helene max estimated gusts Florida	Figure 7: Hurricane Helene max estimated gusts over Georgia

Storm Surge

Helene brought widespread, catastrophic storm surge to the southeast Florida Big Bend and significant storm surge along the west coast of Florida. While the final storm surge survey data will not be available until the National Hurricane Center releases its tropical cyclone report on Helene (accessible here when completed), preliminary estimates suggest inundation levels of at least 15 feet above normally dry ground. The greatest surge impacts occurred along and just south of the landfall area. Communities such as Keaton Beach, Steinhatchee, and Dekle Beach experienced historic levels of storm surge, with numerous properties completely destroyed. Local emergency management estimates that upwards of 70% of properties in these areas were completely destroyed. Aerial photography provided by NOAA after the storm revealed many structures removed from their foundations and reduced to rubble.

One of the factors that compounded Helene's devastating storm surge was the combination of its large size and extremely fast forward motion. According to NHC discussions, Hurricane Helene’s wind field was among the largest 10% of recorded storms at one point, and its forward speed at landfall reached 24 mph—an unusually high speed for a landfalling major hurricane.

Figure 8. Graphic showing the peak surge of Helene at Cedar Key (just south of our forecast area in NWS Tampa's Area of Responsibility. Graphic used to show the large tidal variations across this part of the Gulf and the timing of Helene's surge.

Photos at Keaton Beach showing the widespread damage from wind and storm surge. Many properties have been removed off their foundations. Photos from NOAA aerial surveys.