Hurricane Helen, expected to make landfall in northern Florida on Thursday evening, has been upgraded to a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) updated the state of Florida on Thursday night on a major hurricane.
“Updated Thursday at 6:20 p.m. EDT: Helen is now an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane,” the NHC said in an update.
“The NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft currently surveying Helen recently found that maximum sustained winds had increased to 130 mph (215 km/h).Based on dropsonde data, the minimum central pressure also increased to 947 mph. mb (27.96 inches),” it added.
Updated from NHC at 6pm ET. warned “A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is expected to occur along parts of Florida's Big Bend coast, with flooding potentially reaching heights of 20 feet above ground level.”
“Potentially devastating hurricane-force winds are expected within Helen's eyewall and will spread into northern Florida and parts of Georgia inland as Helen makes landfall in Florida's Big Bend region tonight. It also warned of “damaging wind gusts”. It has spread far inland, affecting not only the Carolinas but also parts of Georgia.
The Florida Highway Patrol in Tampa also announced Thursday night that the Skyway Bridge and Howard Frankland Bridge were closed, and released a video showing the chaos in the area.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Florida) warned Floridians in the storm's path that there was still time to evacuate, but time was running out quickly.
“However, evacuation orders have been issued for all areas along the Big Bend coast, low-lying areas susceptible to potentially large storm surges,” he said, adding that residents should not be advised if a power outage occurs. I warned you.
“There's still time if you have power, so make sure your phone is charged. Make sure you have what you need to survive the expected period of power outage. If you're evacuating, be sure to let people know, whether it's friends or family,” he said, also warning about tornadoes, tree limbs and down power. line.
“ storm teeth go to strike of florida big bend region someday this evening, probably around it 11 time. the go to Get used to it “It's pitch black,” he said, urging Floridians to wait until the sun comes up on Friday to assess the damage.
See the latest updates from Governor Ron DeSantis below:
