Current:Home > NewsTropical Weather Latest: Tropical Storm Helene forms in Caribbean, Tropical Storm John weakens -Mastery Money Tools
Tropical Weather Latest: Tropical Storm Helene forms in Caribbean, Tropical Storm John weakens
View
Date:2025-04-14 09:55:01
Two major weather systems are bringing heavy rain, high winds and more to Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on one side and the Caribbean on the other.
Tropical Storm John struck Mexico late Monday with life-threatening flood potential after growing into a Category 3 hurricane in a matter of hours. It came ashore near the town of Punta Maldonado before weakening back to tropical storm status early Tuesday and was expected to weaken rapidly. Still, the U.S. National Hurricane Center warned that the storm’s slow pace and heavy rains could cause potentially catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Helene formed in the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday after bringing heavy rains and big waves to the Cayman Islands. Forecasters warned the storm is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane en route to the southeast U.S. Hurricane watches were in effect for Florida’s Tampa Bay and from Englewood to Indian Pass, as well as for eastern Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Tulum and for Cuba’s Pinar del Rio province.
Follow AP’s coverage of tropical weather at https://apnews.com/hub/hurricanes.
Here’s the latest:
Tropical Storm Helene forms in the Caribbean Sea
MIAMI — Tropical Storm Helene formed Tuesday in the Caribbean Sea and will strengthen into a major hurricane while moving north toward the U.S., forecasters said.
Hurricane watches have been issued for parts of Cuba, Mexico and a stretch of the Florida coastline, including Tampa Bay, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. A tropical storm warning has been issued for parts of the Florida Keys.
The storm was located 170 miles (275 kilometers) southeast of the western tip of Cuba and had sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph). It was expected to strengthen into Hurricane Helene on Wednesday as it approached the Gulf Coast.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in dozens of counties before the storm’s arrival.
Florida governor declares state of emergency in most of the state’s counties
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 61 of the state’s 67 counties ahead of the storm expected to become Hurricane Helene. DeSantis is urging residents across a broad swath of the state to prepare for potentially significant impacts, from the rural Panhandle region down the Gulf Coast to southwest Florida.
“We’re anticipating impacts, I mean, 100, 200 miles (161 to 322 kilometers) outside the eye of the storm, you could see with winds and you could see with surge,” DeSantis said. “We are going to see significant impacts no matter what happens.”
In a Tuesday morning update from the state’s emergency operations center in Tallahassee, DeSantis said it’s telling that forecasters are already projecting the storm system may become a major hurricane — even before it’s technically formed into a tropical storm.
DeSantis said the storm is reminiscent of Hurricane Michael, a category 5 hurricane that rapidly intensified and caught many residents off guard before plowing a path of destruction across the western Panhandle. Communities that are still rebuilding from previous storms could get battered again, DeSantis warned.
“The Big Bend and Panhandle should be especially prepared for direct impact,” DeSantis said.
2 dead after John hits Mexico’s Pacific coast
PUERTO ESCONDIDO, Mexico — Two people are dead after former hurricane John barreled into Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, blowing tin roofs off houses, triggering mudslides and toppling scores of trees, officials said Tuesday.
John grew into a major hurricane in a matter of hours Monday and made landfall about 80 miles (130 kilometers) east of the resort of Acapulco before declining to a tropical storm after moving inland.
John came ashore near the town of Punta Maldonado late Monday as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (190 kph). It weakened back to tropical storm status early Tuesday with maximum sustained wind speeds of 50 mph (85 kph) and was expected to weaken rapidly.
Evelyn Salgado, the governor of the coastal state of Guerrero, said two people died when the storm sent a mudslide crashing into their house on the remote mountain of Tlacoachistlahuaca (TLAH-ko-chis-tla-waka), further from the coast.
▶ Read more here.
Storm walloping Cayman Islands expected to become Tropical Storm Helene
Heavy rains and big waves lashed the Cayman Islands on Tuesday as forecasters warned that a nearby cluster of thunderstorms could soon become a major hurricane en route to the southeast U.S.
Hurricane watches were in effect Tuesday for Florida’s Tampa Bay and from Englewood to Indian Pass, as well as for eastern Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Tulum and for Cuba’s Pinar del Rio province. Hurricane conditions could be possible in parts of Cuba and Mexico early Wednesday and in parts of Florida late Wednesday and early Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
“Now is the time to start preparing. If you’re in an evacuation zone, you should evacuate,” said Lisa Bucci, a hurricane specialist at the center. “Don’t be fooled by the way the storm looks at the moment. We are expecting it to rapidly intensify.”
She said people in regions under watches and warnings should be prepared to lose power and should have enough food and water for at least three days.
The disturbance is expected to move “over extremely deep and warm waters” that would fuel its intensification.
The disturbance is expected to become Tropical Storm Helene on Tuesday and then strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane before approaching the northeast Gulf Coast.
▶ Read more here.
veryGood! (988)
Related
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Hugh Jackman to begin 12-concert residency at Radio City Music Hall next year
- Pregnant Brittany Mahomes Shares Glimpse at Zoo Family Day With Patrick Mahomes and Their Kids
- A federal judge rejects a call to reopen voter registration in Georgia after Hurricane Helene
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- HISA, Jockeys’ Guild partner with mental-health company to offer jockeys access to care and support
- Three-time NBA champion Danny Green retires after 15 seasons
- Chicago Fed president sees rates falling at gradual pace despite hot jobs, inflation
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- MoneyGram announces hack: Customer data such as Social Security numbers, bank accounts impacted
Ranking
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Winter in October? Snow recorded on New Hampshire's Mount Washington
- 10 players to buy low and sell high: Fantasy football Week 6
- The 2025 Critics Choice Awards Is Coming to E!: All the Details
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Milton by the numbers: At least 5 dead, at least 12 tornadoes, 3.4M without power
- WNBA Finals Game 1: Lynx pull off 18-point comeback, down Liberty in OT
- While Dodgers are secretive for Game 5, Padres just want to 'pop champagne'
Recommendation
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
In Pacific Northwest, 2 toss-up US House races could determine control of narrowly divided Congress
Alfonso Cuarón's 'Disclaimer' is the best TV show of the year: Review
Maryland candidates debate abortion rights in widely watched US Senate race
South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
NHL tracker: Hurricanes-Lightning game in Tampa postponed due to Hurricane Milton
What to know about this year’s Social Security cost-of-living adjustment
Martha Stewart Says Prosecutors Should Be Put in a Cuisinart Over Felony Conviction