**SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)** — Hurricane watches were issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico on Monday as a cluster of storms south of the Cayman Islands is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane while moving north toward the U.S., forecasters reported.
The system is anticipated to develop into Hurricane Helene by Wednesday as it approaches the Gulf Coast, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
“It could certainly become a major hurricane, which is Category 3,” said Brad Reinhart, a senior hurricane specialist at the center, in a phone interview. “People in the Florida Panhandle and the west coast of Florida need to pay close attention.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 41 counties in preparation for the potential hurricane.
While it’s too early to pinpoint the exact landfall location, Reinhart warned that there is a possibility of the storm strengthening into a Category 4, though it's not the most likely outcome.
The disturbance is expected to develop into a tropical storm by Tuesday, with tropical storm conditions possibly impacting parts of Florida by Wednesday. It could reach major hurricane status by the time it nears the northeast Gulf Coast on Thursday.
“It’s a pretty aggressive forecast for intensification over the next few days,” Reinhart noted. “People need to remain on high alert.”
Warm sea temperatures and favorable conditions, including a moist atmosphere and light upper-level winds, are forecast to contribute to the storm's rapid intensification.
As of early Tuesday, the cluster of storms was located about 115 miles (185 kilometers) west-southwest of Grand Cayman, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph) and moving northwest at 6 mph (9 kph).
A hurricane watch is in effect for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio and parts of eastern Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Tulum. Tropical storm warnings are in place for Grand Cayman, eastern Mexico from Rio Lagartos to Tulum, and the Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth. Additionally, a tropical storm watch covers Florida’s Dry Tortugas and the Lower Keys south of Seven Mile Bridge.
“While it is too soon to pinpoint the exact location and magnitude of impacts, the potential for life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds along the coast of the Florida Panhandle and the Florida west coast is increasing,” the National Hurricane Center said in a statement.
Forecasters expect up to 8 inches of rain for western Cuba and the Cayman Islands, with isolated totals reaching 12 inches (30 centimeters). The eastern Yucatán Peninsula may see up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) of rain, with isolated totals exceeding 6 inches (15 centimeters).
Heavy rainfall is also expected to impact the southeastern U.S. starting Wednesday, with up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain predicted and isolated totals reaching 10 inches (25 centimeters). This could lead to flash and river flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Meanwhile, storm surges of up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) are forecast for parts of Cuba and Mexico.
On Monday, the Cayman Islands closed schools in anticipation of heavy flooding linked to the disturbance, which is expected to pass between Cuba and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula late Tuesday night.
The Cayman Islands had already been experiencing elevated tides unrelated to the storm system, and waves of up to 10 feet (3 meters) are expected, said Shamal Clarke with the Cayman Islands Weather Service.
“Flooding will become an issue for a lot of residents,” Clarke warned.
Helene would be the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average season due to record-warm ocean temperatures, forecasting 17 to 25 named storms, with four to seven becoming major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.
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