Storm forecast to hit southeastern U.S. as hurricane

Hurricane watches were in effect Tuesday around Mexico, in Cuba, and along Florida’s western coast as a tropical storm system moved north through the Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center has named the system “Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine” and said it has a 90 percent chance of growing into a hurricane in the next 48 hours. Forecasts predict the storm, which would be named Hurricane Helene, could make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a Category 3 hurricane, capable of structurally damaging to small homes.. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday declared a state of emergency in 41 counties and expanded the declaration Tuesday to include 61 counties.

What is the expected trajectory of the storm? Helene on Tuesday was slated to bring heavy rain, dangerous waves, and strong winds to Cuba, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama through Thursday. The storm was forecast to continue moving north to dump rain on the Southern Appalachians and the Tennessee Valley through Friday.

Dig deeper: Listen to Paul Butler’s report on The World and Everything in It about the cleanup after Hurricane Beryl.