Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that “tens of thousands” of linemen are ready to respond to Hurricane Helen, which is expected to make landfall in northern Florida Thursday night.
At a news conference Thursday morning, the governor explained the current status of the storm as it heads towards Florida, noting that it is expected to make landfall in the evening. Although Hurricane Helen was a Category 2 storm at the time of the press conference, he said, “This storm has the potential to make landfall as a major hurricane, Category 3, or potentially Category 4.”
Look — Tampa is gearing up! The Tampa area looks eerily empty as Hurricane Helen approaches:
“It's moving quickly. Of course, much more rainfall is expected and there could be significant storm surge in coastal areas. Of course we're prepared for it and it will intensify. We'll see what happens in terms of. I think these things can intensify quickly. Sometimes they can become major. So we'll see some changes. We just have to continue to do what we have to do in the event that it becomes a major hurricane,” the governor said, emphasizing that the storm is “very large.” Therefore, tropical weather will travel hundreds of miles away from the center of the storm.
“[That] For example, we won't be seeing Category 3 hurricane winds on Florida's east coast, but we'll definitely see tropical conditions. “We're going to have severe weather for the second half of the day here in Florida,” he warned of the upcoming power outages, urging residents to stay safe, heed local officials' warnings and stay put when the storm hits. I called out. .
WATCH — Hurricane Watch: Hurricane Helen hits Cancun beaches:
“It's going to be pitch black by the time the storm is over. Don't work in the dark. You don't know what dangers are out there. You're going to have debris. There's potential in some areas. “It's difficult to keep going because of the water in the area, but it's dangerous to do it at night,” he warned, adding that thousands of power workers were ready to restore power.
“We also have tens of thousands of linemen waiting in safe locations just outside the potential zone of impact,” DeSantis said.
“Once the storm passes, they're going to go in and start restoring power. That's a priority for us as we respond to the storm,” he said as he walked through other response teams at the ready. he added.
Currently we have 3,500 soldiers. If needed, we can add 2,000 more National Guard troops. The Florida Highway Patrol has 200 state troopers who will be deployed immediately after the storm. The Florida Department of Transportation has 1,700 employees working to prepare, prepare, and respond to the storm, with 550 generators, 230 large pieces of equipment, and 40 large pumps diverting water from some of these low-pressure areas. can be pumped out. lying area.
clock:
Hurricane Helen remains a “major” storm, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) at 11 a.m. ET. that warn “Damaging and life-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially gusts,” are expected to move “inland into northern Florida and southern Georgia, where hurricane warnings are in effect, later today and tonight.”
Watch — Safety Alert! Florida Sheriff's Office Posts Video of Woman Stuck in Pre-Hurricane Floods:
