According to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the Tropical Storm Helene is expected to hit the Azores from Saturday, starting in the Western Group.
 
According to the IPMA's latest statement, Western Group islands are under red rainfall warning, which is in effect from Saturday noon and may be extended to all day Sunday.
 
For the Central Group, IPMA has issued an orange warning running from 9 AM Saturday until 9 AM Sunday.
 
IPMA has also informed that the expected average wind is estimated to be 90 km/h and gusts could reach 120 km/h.
 
Thus, orange wind warnings were issued for the Western and Central groups.
 
Tropical Storm Helene, located about 1,000 km south of Flores, will also cause, from Saturday, waves that may reach 8 to 10 metres, especially on the south coast of Western Group islands and on the "Triangle" islands (Faial, Pico and São Jorge).
 
The Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA) also informs that various Civil Protection entities will be on standby from Saturday, namely Municipal Civil Protection Services, the Regional Directorates for Public Works and Communications, Environment and Health, as well as the 17 regional fire brigades.
 
The Azores Civil Protection services will reinforce emergency teams in the Western Group today by deploying equipment and a team from the Regional Directorate for Health.
 
SRPCBA points out that this situation should not raise alarm and panic, if citizens take into consideration the official information released by SRPCBA and IPMA and adopt self-protection measures in the event of a storm, as recommended by the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service.
 
SRPCBA and the IPMA, as well as all Civil Protection authorities and agents, are monitoring the evolution of the situation. The Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service will update the information whenever necessary.