Most Florida ports were shuttered on Thursday in anticipation of Hurricane Helene's arrival in the Big Bend region. Meteorologists are warning of a potentially deadly Category 2 storm that is expected to intensify before making landfall. The National Hurricane Center forecasts Helene will strengthen as it nears the United States, with landfall anticipated for Thursday night or early Friday. Forecasters predict Helene will be a "catastrophic and deadly storm." Port Tampa Bay ceased shipping lanes and vessel traffic on Wednesday night and activated its Port Heavy Weather Advisory Group to monitor the storm. The hurricane is also expected to disrupt the port's cruise schedule. "Port Tampa Bay is doing all it can to prepare for Hurricane Helene, and to ensure safety of life, protection of the environment, and maritime commerce resiliency," the port stated in an announcement.

Other Florida ports that closed on Thursday include Canaveral, Fernandina, Jacksonville, Key West, Fort Myers, Manatee, Sarasota, Panama City, and St. Petersburg. Ports operating with restrictions on Thursday were Mobile in Alabama, Pensacola in Florida, and Brunswick and Savannah in Georgia.
The hurricane center warned of a possible 20-foot storm surge along the Big Bend. Life-threatening wind gusts are expected to impact northern Florida and southern Georgia after Helene makes landfall. Strong winds are also likely across northern Georgia and the Carolinas. Forecasters are predicting "catastrophic and life-threatening" flooding.