TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Helene could bring record-level water levels and storm surge to Tampa Bay.

Helene is continuing to strengthen and the winds picking up the water are producing roughly 50-foot waves in the Gulf.

When Helene makes landfall on Thursday evening and into Friday morning, the winds will push the waves onto Florida’s coast.

Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Amanda Holly said this will bring peak water levels onshore Thursday night, as Florida is already seeing higher-than-normal water levels.

The wave heights forecast shows 5 to 8 feet of surge near Tampa, 8 to 12 feet in Pasco and Hernando County, and 10 to 15 feet near Crystal River and Cedar Key.

Water levels are forecasted to be higher when looking at record levels recorded at buoys across Tampa Bay.

Water levels will begin to rise after 2 p.m. on Thursday, with peak levels expected from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. on Friday.

Compared to Hurricane Idalia in 2023, water levels could be significantly higher in some areas.