Residents in Florida and Georgia are being urged to get ready for storm Helene, which is expected to make landfall as a “potentially catastrophic” hurricane along the Florida Big Bend later today, bringing with it damaging winds and “life-threatening” storm surges.
According to the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) latest advisory at 4am CDT, the center of the storm is forecast to hit Florida later this evening or early Friday morning and preparations should be underway in advance of tropical storm conditions arriving.
The storm is currently tracking at speeds of around 90mph, however by the time it makes landfall, it could be the strongest to hit the US in over a year.
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“Preparations to protect life and property should be completed this morning before tropical storm conditions arrive,” the NHC said.
“Damaging and life-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, will penetrate well inland over portions of northern Florida and southern Georgia later today and tonight where Hurricane Warnings are in effect.
“Strong wind gusts are also likely farther north across portions of northern Georgia and the Carolinas, particularly over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians,” they added.
In addition to strong winds, the NHC has warned of a “catastrophic and deadly storm surge” which is expected to impact the Florida Big Bend, with potential for flooding as high as 20ft above ground and “destructive waves”.
“There is also a danger of life-threatening storm surge along the remainder of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula,” they said.
Hurricane #Helene Advisory 12: Helene Strengthening and Expected to Bring Catastrophic Winds And Storm Surge to the Northeastern Gulf Coast. Preparations to Protect Life and Property Should Be Rushed To Completion. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 26, 2024
“Residents in those areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so.”
The hurricane is expected to weaken to a tropical storm once it makes its way north across Florida, however rainfall is forecast to total between 6 to 12 inches in places, with isolated totals as high as 18 inches.
“This rainfall will likely result in catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding, along with significant river flooding,” the NHC warned.
Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, declared an emergency in the state earlier this week.
He said that thousands of line workers were coming to the state to restore power after the storm passes, as it is expected to be out in some areas for days or even weeks in the storm’s aftermath.
States of emergency were also declared in Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia.
