Helene intensified into a Category 4 hurricane just hours before its expected landfall on Florida’s northwest coast Thursday night. Forecasters issued warnings of a potentially catastrophic storm surge along the coast and dangerous winds and rain across the southeastern United States.
Category 4 Storm Threatens Florida’s Gulf Coast
Category 4 hurricanes are defined by sustained winds exceeding 130 mph (209 kph), with the potential to cause severe damage, snap trees, and bring down power lines. Over 250,000 homes and businesses in Florida had already lost power due to strong winds, according to poweroutage.us. As of Thursday afternoon, Helene was positioned 120 miles (195 kilometers) west of Tampa with sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. The Big Bend area of Florida is bracing for life-threatening storm surges of up to 20 feet (6 meters). Hurricane and flash flood warnings extended from the coast up into northern Georgia and western North Carolina, as state governors declared emergencies across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia.
Helene Follows Idalia’s Path of Destruction
Helene’s arrival comes nearly a year after Hurricane Idalia ravaged Florida’s Big Bend area. Idalia, which strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, made landfall as a Category 3 near Keaton Beach, with winds peaking at 125 mph (205 kph). On Thursday afternoon, Helene’s effects were already being felt. Rising water overtook roads in northern Siesta Key near Sarasota and some intersections in St. Pete Beach along the Gulf Coast. Debris from a recent fire in Cedar Key washed ashore in the swelling waters, and 180,000 homes and businesses were left without power from wind gusts of up to 125 mph (205 kph).
Heavy Rain and Flooding Expected Beyond Florida
Helene’s impact will not be limited to Florida. North Carolina’s mountains have already received up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain, with an additional 14 inches (36 centimeters) expected. The storm is forecast to cause historic flooding in the region. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis noted that updated models suggest the storm would make landfall further east than initially forecast, sparing the state capital, Tallahassee, from a direct hit. The storm is now expected to strike the sparsely populated Big Bend region, known for its fishing villages and natural beauty.
Evacuation Warnings and Preparedness
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for low-lying areas stretching from the Panhandle down the Gulf Coast. Authorities, including the sheriff’s office in Taylor County, urged residents to heed evacuation orders, even advising those staying behind to write their name and information on their arms to ensure identification in case of fatalities.
Many residents are taking the warnings seriously, including those staying at shelters in Tallahassee, such as Sharonda Davis, who worried her mobile home wouldn’t withstand the storm. Search-and-rescue teams were positioned by federal authorities in preparation for the expected storm surge of up to 20 feet in Apalachee Bay. The National Weather Service warned the surge could be “catastrophic and unsurvivable.”
Forgotten Coast Prepares for Impact
Florida’s Forgotten Coast, known for its unspoiled natural beauty and free from heavy development, is particularly vulnerable. Anthony Godwin, a local resident from Panacea, expressed concern about the risk of losing everything as he prepared to evacuate.
In anticipation of the hurricane, schools, universities, and airports across Florida’s Gulf Coast, including those in Tampa, Tallahassee, and Clearwater, closed their doors. Even as Helene is expected to weaken after landfall, damaging winds and heavy rains are predicted to hit the southern Appalachian Mountains, bringing the threat of landslides, power outages, and prolonged flooding.
Helene’s Path of Destruction in Mexico and Cuba
Before reaching the U.S., Helene caused widespread damage in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, flooding streets and knocking down trees as it brushed past Cancun. Western Cuba was also affected, with over 200,000 homes and businesses losing power as the storm passed by.
A Historic Storm in the Making
Hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach from Colorado State University noted that Helene is projected to be one of the largest hurricanes to hit the Gulf of Mexico since 1988. Only three storms—Irma in 2017, Wilma in 2005, and Opal in 1995—have been larger.
Georgia and Beyond Bracing for Impact
As Helene moves inland, Georgia is preparing for severe weather, with more than half of its public school districts and several universities canceling classes. State parks have been opened for evacuees and their pets, while overnight curfews are in effect in multiple southern Georgia cities. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp authorized the deployment of 500 National Guard soldiers to assist in recovery efforts. Meteorologists warn that Helene could be the most significant storm to hit the Southern U.S. in decades.
Other Storms Brewing in the Atlantic and Pacific
While Helene captures attention, Tropical Storm Isaac formed in the Atlantic and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it moves across open waters. The storm could impact Bermuda and the Azores. Meanwhile, in the Pacific, former Hurricane John re-strengthened into a hurricane on Thursday, threatening Mexico’s western coast with flash floods and mudslides. Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador reported five fatalities as coastal communities braced for a second landfall.
