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Storm Helene has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane with 80 mph winds as it advances across Mexico’s coast towards the US.
Just over a month after Storm Debby hurtled into the Sunshine State, Hurricane Helene now threatens to become the strongest storm to hit the US in over a year as it is expected to make landfall near Florida’s Big Bend region on Thursday. If it does, Helene will be the fourth hurricane to make landfall in the US this year.
Hurricane Helene is expected to further strengthen into a Category 3 storm as it brings life-threatening rain, floods and storm surge to Florida.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, and several areas are under hurricane warnings. Florida’s Big Bend will see the worst of the storm surge, with up to 15 feet possible this week.
“Tornadoes are probable and high winds, life-threatening storm surge and flooding cannot be ruled out,” Florida’s emergency chief, Kevin Guthrie, said on Wednesday.
The storm’s center approached the Yucatán Peninsula Wednesday morning, churning between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
Watch live from Cancún as Tropical Storm Helene heads north to US
In pictures: Storm Helene batters Cancún
Helene reaches hurricane strength
Storm Helene has reached hurricane strength with 80 mph sustained winds, the National Weather Service announced moments ago.
The hurricane will likely reach Category 3 before it makes landfall in Florida on Thursday.
The storm is likely to bring “life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States,” according to the NWS.
Helene to hit Florida as state still recovering from Hurricane Ian in 2022
Storm Helene, which is expected to strengthen to Category 3 today, will batter Florida as the state continues recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian, a devastating storm that hit in 2022.
Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa, Florida, two years ago. Meanwhile, Helene is set to make landfall slightly north, near Florida’s Big Bend region.
Hurricane Ian is the costliest to ever hit Florida and the third-costliest in US history.
The agency also allocated $2.3 billion to reimburse state, local and tribal governments and nonprofit organizations for storm-related costs.
Watch: Storm Helene batters Cancun
State emergency chief warns residents of Helene’s impact
Florida’s emergency chief, Kevin Guthrie, warned the effects of Helene will be far-reaching.
“Tropical storm force winds can be filled up to 250 miles from the center,” Guthrie explained at a Wednesday morning press conference
“Tornadoes are probable and high winds, life-threatening storm surge and flooding cannot be ruled out,” he added.
Guthrie urged residents to keep their devices on to receive emergency alerts and to have an evacuation plan in place.
Tracking Helene: Where is it now?
Tropical Storm Helene is set to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane today as it approaches Florida.
The storm will make landfall on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, bringing powerful winds, floods and life-threatening storm surge as thousands evacuate.
Florida’s Big Bend will see the worst of the storm surge, with up to 15 feet possible this week.
Satellite imagery: Tropical Storm Helene rages through the Caribbean
Diagram: How high could Florida’s ‘life-threatening’ storm surge reach?
Floridians out in droves as they prepare for hurricane-force wins
Source: independent.co.uk
