Hurricane Helene has intensified into a Category 4 storm as it approaches Florida’s northwest coast, with landfall expected on Thursday night. Forecasters are warning that the massive system could unleash a “nightmare” storm surge, bringing dangerous winds and heavy rainfall across much of the southeastern United States.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Helene is currently located approximately 144 kilometers south of Tallahassee, moving northeast at around 38 kilometers per hour. Officials caution that the hurricane could generate a storm surge between 4.5 to 6 meters along Florida’s Gulf Coast, posing a potentially deadly threat to coastal communities.
The impact of the hurricane is already being felt, with over 600,000 homes and businesses in Florida without power as high winds and torrential rains begin to batter the state. The tracking site poweroutage.us reports widespread outages as emergency services prepare for the storm’s arrival.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has stated that updated models suggest Helene will make landfall further east than initially predicted. This shift reduces the likelihood of a direct hit on Tallahassee, the state’s capital, which has a metropolitan population of approximately 395,000. However, the new trajectory points the storm toward the Big Bend area, a sparsely populated region where Florida’s Panhandle merges with the peninsula. This area is known for its fishing villages and secluded vacation spots, which may face significant impacts from the hurricane.
Authorities are urging residents in the storm’s projected path to take immediate precautions. Evacuation orders have been issued in vulnerable areas, and emergency response teams are on high alert. The impending landfall of Hurricane Helene underscores the need for preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
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Hurricane Helene strengthens to Category 4 as it approaches Florida
cgtn.com
