The U.S. National Hurricane Center reported Thursday that Hurricane Helene, a fast-moving storm, is on track to hit northwestern Florida, bringing potentially devastating storm surges up to six meters (20 feet) in some areas.
As of the latest update, Helene was positioned approximately 585 kilometers (364 miles) south of Apalachicola, on the western edge of Florida’s Big Bend, where the coastline curves toward the west. The storm is projected to make landfall late Thursday or early Friday.
Currently classified as a Category 2 hurricane, Helene has maximum sustained winds of around 155 kilometers per hour (96 mph). However, forecasters warned that conditions in the eastern Gulf of Mexico are highly favorable for the storm to intensify. Helene is expected to reach Category 3 strength, with winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph) by the time it hits the coast.
The storm is forecast to cover a large area, with impacts including storm surges, strong winds, and heavy rainfall extending far from its center. Areas to the east of the storm’s path are expected to bear the brunt of the surge. Hurricane warnings have been issued across northern Florida and southern Georgia, while tropical storm warnings stretch into the Carolinas.
Forecasters are predicting catastrophic and life-threatening flooding in urban areas, along with flash floods and the potential for landslides in higher elevations.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for nearly all of Florida’s 67 counties, including Miami-Dade. The state has mobilized the National Guard and deployed thousands of personnel to prepare for rescue operations and power restoration efforts.
In a statement, the White House confirmed that President Joe Biden was briefed on the storm on Wednesday, and the federal government stands ready to assist Florida and other states in Helene’s path.
Helene is the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecast an above-average season this year due to record-high ocean temperatures. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Isaac, the ninth named storm of the season, formed in the Atlantic on Wednesday night and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by the end of the week.
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