The storm heading toward Florida's Gulf Coast is currently expected to become a devastating Category 4 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center, making it one of the most powerful storms to hit the US this year.
The main cause of Hurricane Helen's expansion was the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Unprecedented high temperatures Ocean temperatures around Florida have also generally risen in recent years, making the state more susceptible to devastating storms.
Hurricane Helen is expected to reach the Florida coast late Thursday night or early Friday morning, the center said. Latest RecommendationsEven before the hurricane hit, storm surge flooding had already hit several cities and areas, including Fort Myers Beach, where water levels were already up to two feet above normal.
As of early Thursday, the storm's maximum sustained winds reached nearly 100 mph (155 kph) with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extended outward 60 miles (95 km) from the storm's center and are expected to strengthen before making landfall.
Life-threatening storm surges are expected along the coast, reaching heights of 20 feet in some areas of West Florida.
Most of the state is under a state of emergency. The storm is expected to weaken after landfall, but it is moving quickly and could spread up to 400 miles.
“Parts of Florida's Big Bend coast could experience catastrophic and deadly storm surges, with flooding up to 20 feet above ground level and potentially damaging surf,” the National Weather Service said in a statement. Warned on Wednesday evening. “Preparations to protect life and property should be completed by early Thursday morning prior to the arrival of tropical storm conditions.”
After making landfall, the hurricane is expected to move up the Southeast Coast, from Florida to North Carolina. States of Emergency have been declared in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. At least 50 million people are under hurricane and tropical storm warnings. School districts along Florida's Gulf Coast and in Georgia, including Atlanta, will be closed Thursday in preparation for the hurricane's arrival.
Joe Biden declared a state of emergency on Tuesday and ordered federal aid to Florida, where mandatory evacuations began going into effect earlier this week.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned residents of the impending damage the storm is expected to cause.
“It's not a question of if it will be affected, it's a question of how big an impact it will have,” DeSantis said.
Officials in the state capital, Tallahassee, said the storm could be the worst in the city's history.
“If, as predicted, our community remains in the center of Helen's path, our community will suffer unprecedented damage that we have never seen before,” Tallahassee Mayor John Daly said at a news conference Wednesday.
The National Weather Service said early Thursday that the storm's impacts would depend on its path, but could include widespread power outages, damage to infrastructure including power lines, road closures and damage to buildings.
“Power outages will likely last for days, if not weeks, in the areas surrounding the hurricane's landfall,” the National Weather Service said Thursday.
It is the fourth hurricane to make landfall in the US this year and the second major hurricane to strike the state this year. In August, Category 1 Hurricane Debbie caused power outages and flooding in the northwestern part of the state.
The effects of the storm will be felt far from the Gulf Coast.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper warned that the hurricane could bring heavy rain as it moves inland. “This is an exceptionally dangerous storm that could bring heavy rain and devastating flooding to central and especially western North Carolina tonight and tomorrow,” Cooper said.
He added that major cities in the state, including Charlotte and Asheville, could experience flooding even though they are not directly in Helene's projected path: Asheville has already seen more than 7.5 inches of rain since Wednesday night and could easily flood if another 2 inches fall. 1 in 1,000According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, this was the most rainfall ever recorded in the region.
Meanwhile, an unprecedented, highest level flood warning was issued for Atlanta, Georgia. Level 4 on a 4-point scale: high risk The amount of rainfall that causes flooding.
