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Hurricane Helene could strengthen to a Category 4 storm as it advances toward Florida, AccuWeather forecasts.
Just over a month after Storm Debby hurtled into the Sunshine State, Hurricane Helene now threatens to become the strongest storm to hit the US in over a year. The storm is expected to make landfall near Florida’s Big Bend region on Thursday.
Helene will be the fourth hurricane to make landfall in the US this year.
Hurricane Helene, currently a Category 1 storm, has 80 mph winds as of Wednesday. Florida officials are warning residents to brace for life-threatening rain, floods and storm surge.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, and several areas are under hurricane warnings. Florida’s Big Bend will see the worst of the storm surge, with up to 20 feet possible this week.
Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey told residents the storm could bring “unprecedented damage” to the Florida city.
“We will have countless downed trees. We will have structural damage. We will have loss of power,” Dailey said on Wednesday. “Yes, if our community remains central in Helene’s path as forecasted, we will see unprecedented damage like nothing we have ever experienced before.”
Key Points
- Tracking Helene: Where is the storm now?
- Hurricane Helene likely to strengthen to Category 4
- When will Helene make landfall?
- Mapped: Storm surge, flash flooding from Hurricane Helene
- What is storm surge?
Satellite: Helene’s 85mph hurricane-force winds hurtle towards Florida’s Gulf Coast
What time is Hurricane Helene expected to make landfall?
Helene is expected to be a major hurricane – potentially Category 4 – when it reaches Florida’s Big Bend coast.
It is expected to make landfall at some point on Thursday evening, according to the latest announcement from the National Hurricane Center.
Parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast may experience tropical storm-force winds from the early hours of Thursday morning.
After landfall, the hurricane is expected to turn northwest, slow down as it charts its path over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and into the weekend.
James Liddell26 September 2024 08:59 1727336913Explainer: What is storm surge?
Storm surge occurs when strong winds push sea water onshore, causing an abnormal rise in water level.
It can result in extensive flooding for those living in coastal areas, with heavy rains and large waves generated from the wind adding to build up of water.
The change in sea level is measured at the height the water sits above the normal predicted astronomical tide.
The National Hurricane Center has declared a “life threatening situation” with much of Florida’s Gulf Coast expected to experience nine-plus feet of storm surge.
The stretch between Carrabelle to Suwannee River in Florida may expect up to 20ft of storm surge, according to the NHC’s latest briefing.
See the National Weather Service’s diagram below:
James Liddell26 September 2024 08:48 1727336400Mapped: Hurricane Helene flash flood risk
Race against time as Floridians ‘rush’ in final preparations to brace ‘catastrophic’ winds and storm surge
James Liddell26 September 2024 08:20 1727334000State emergency chief warns residents of Helene’s impact
Florida’s emergency chief, Kevin Guthrie, warned the effects of Helene will be far-reaching and residents should be careful even if they think they’re far from the storm.
“Tropical storm force winds can be filled up to 250 miles from the center,” Guthrie explained at a Wednesday morning press conference
“Tornadoes are probable and high winds, life-threatening storm surge and flooding cannot be ruled out,” he added.
Guthrie urged residents to keep their devices on to receive emergency alerts and to have an evacuation plan in place.
Katie Hawkinson26 September 2024 08:00 1727330400Helene to hit Florida two years after devastating Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Helene, which is expected to strengthen to Category 4, will batter Florida two years after Hurricane Ian.
Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa, Florida, in September 2022. Meanwhile, Helene is set to make landfall slightly north, near Florida’s Big Bend region.
Hurricane Ian is the costliest to ever hit Florida and the third-costliest in US history.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided $1.15 billion for 387,139 households to assist with home repairs, lodging expenses, rent payments and other needs.
The agency also allocated $2.3 billion to reimburse state, local and tribal governments and nonprofit organizations for storm-related costs.
Hurricane Helene is set to cause ‘unprecedented’ damage to parts of the state.
“We will have countless downed trees. We will have structural damage. We will have loss of power,” Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said on Wednesday. “Yes, if our community remains central in Helene’s path as forecasted, we will see unprecedented damage like nothing we have ever experienced before.”
Katie Hawkinson26 September 2024 07:00 1727326800Mapped: Hurricane Helene rainfall
ICYMI: Hurricane Helene could render parts of Tallahassee ‘uninhabitable’ for months
“Catastrophic” storm surge and flooding could render some areas of Tallahassee and the surrounding region “uninhabitable” for weeks or months, the National Weather Service said.
Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey told residents that Hurricane Helene could bring “unprecedented damage” to the Florida city if it remains on its current path.
“We will have countless downed trees. We will have structural damage. We will have loss of power,” Dailey said on Wednesday. “Yes, if our community remains central in Helene’s path as forecasted, we will see unprecedented damage like nothing we have ever experienced before.”
The storm could strengthen to a Category 4 as it makes landfall in Florida late Thursday.
Katie Hawkinson26 September 2024 05:01 1727319652Key messages from officials ahead of Hurricane Helene
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