MIAMI – South Florida first responders are heading north to the Big Bend area Wednesday as Tropical Storm Helene heads toward Florida.
The City of Miami Fire Rescue’s USAR Task Force (FL-TF2) consists of officers from several different agencies in the county.
Officials say they will go to areas that are at risk of being severely impacted by Helene, which is expected to hit northwest Florida as a major hurricane.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is forecast to be “near hurricane strength” when it passes near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula early Wednesday, and to “intensify and grow in size” as it moves north across the Gulf of Mexico. Heavy rainfall was forecast for the southeastern U.S. starting Wednesday, with a “life-threatening storm surge” along the entire west coast of Florida, according to the center.
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Helene is expected to become a major hurricane — a Category 3 or higher — on Thursday, the day it’s set to reach Florida’s Gulf Coast, according to the hurricane center.
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Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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This Week in South Florida Full Episode: March 1, 2026
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — On the latest episode of “This Week in South Florida” host Janine Stanwood welcomes President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Broward County Audra Berg, Secretary General of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat, Division Director of Flood Control and Water Supply Planning for the South Florida Water Management District Carolina Maran, State Rep. Juan Carlos Porras and State Rep. Kevin Chambliss.
The full episode can be seen at the top of this page.
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Janine Stanwood
Janine Stanwood is a Emmy award-winning reporter and anchor. She joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor.