National Weather Service releases report on Helene

The National Weather Service in Ruskin released its report on Helene’s impact on the area.

These are the county reports released by meteorologists at the National Weather Service.

Citrus County

Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 50 and 60 mph, with a maximum gust of 54 mph near Lecanto at 9:45 p.m. EST on September 26. Rainfall amounts ranged from 1 to 3 inches, with a maximum total of 2.66 inches near Homosassa. At 2:30 a.m. EST on September 27, a peak water level of 7.70 feet above MHHW (mean high tide) was recorded at the mouth of the Crystal River, surpassing the previous site record of 5.99 feet above MHHW during Hurricane Idalia on September 30 August 2023 Elsewhere along the Citrus County coast, peak water levels were generally between 5 and 8 feet.

Hernando County

Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 60 and 70 mph, with a maximum gust of 66 mph at Weeki Wachee at 7:28 p.m. EST on September 26. Rainfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches, with a maximum total of 3.44 inches near northern Brooksville. At 1:15 a.m. EST on September 27, a peak water level of 8.58 feet above MHHW was recorded at the mouth of the Chassahowitzka River. Estimated peak water levels elsewhere along the Hernando County coast were generally between 5 and 8 feet.

Pasco County

Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 50 and 60 mph, with a maximum gust of 56 mph near New Port Richey on September 26 at 7:10 p.m. EST. Rainfall amounts ranged from 1 to 3 inches, with a maximum total of 2.94 inches near Holiday. At 9:00 p.m. EST on September 26, a peak water level of 5.04 feet above MHHW was recorded in New Port Richey before the gauge stopped reporting. Elsewhere along the Pasco County coast, peak water levels were estimated to generally be between 2 and 5 feet above MHHW.

Pinellas County

Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 65 and 75 mph, with a maximum gust of 73 mph at Clearwater Beach at 7:36 p.m. EST on September 26. Rainfall totals ranged from 3 to 5 inches, with a total maximum gust of 4.38 inches observed near Crystal Beach. A peak water level of 6.67 feet above MHHW was recorded at Clearwater Beach at 10:00 p.m. EST on September 26, surpassing the previous site record of 4.02 feet above MHHW set during the 1993 Storm of the Century on March 13, 1993 . Petersburg also set a new record of 6.31 feet above MHHW, surpassing the previous site record of 3.97.

Hillsborough County

Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 60 and 70 mph, with a maximum gust of 68 mph near Tampa International Airport on September 26 at 7:40 p.m. EST. Rainfall ranged from 2 to 5 inches, with a maximum total of 4.55 inches near Temple Terrace. On September 26, a peak water level of 7.2 feet above MHHW was recorded in the East Bay at 11:48 p.m. EST, surpassing the previous location record of 4.56 feet above MHHW set during Hurricane Idalia on August 30, 2023 . Old Port Tampa also set a high of 7.2 feet above MHHW new record at 6.86 feet above MHHW at 11:36 p.m. EST on September 26, surpassing the previous site record of 4.18 feet above MHHW set during of Hurricane Idalia on August 30, 2023. Peak water levels recorded elsewhere along the Hillsborough County coast were generally 5 to 8 feet above MHHW.

Manatee County

Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 65 and 75 mph, with a maximum gust of 74 mph at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on September 26 at 6:19 p.m. EST. Rainfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches, with a maximum total of 3.26 inches near Desoto Lakes. At 11:18 p.m. EST on September 26, a peak water level of 6.04 feet above MHHW was recorded in Port Manatee, surpassing the previous site record of 3.69 feet above MHHW set during Hurricane Idalia on August 30, 2023 . Peak water levels estimated elsewhere Manatee County’s coastline was generally between 4 and 7 feet above MHHW.

Polk County

Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 50 and 60 mph, with a maximum gust of 59 mph near Fort Meade at 5:56 p.m. EST on September 26. Rainfall amounts ranged from 1 to 2 inches, with a maximum total of 1.88 inches near Lakeland.

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