Hurricane Helene Approaches Florida with Intense Winds and Storm Surge, Reports Reuters

By Rich McKay, Brendan O’Brien, and Andrew Hay

Florida prepared for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Helene on Thursday, which is expected to be a powerful Category 4 storm as it approaches the state’s panhandle.

Officials issued stern warnings, urging residents in coastal regions along the storm’s trajectory to evacuate in anticipation of catastrophic winds and a potentially lethal storm surge. This surge, driven ashore by hurricane-force winds, could reach heights of 20 feet (6.1 meters) in some areas.

"This is not a survivable event for those in coastal or low-lying areas," warned Jared Miller, the sheriff of Wakulla County, where Helene is predicted to make landfall. "Please heed the evacuation orders in place as time is running out to do so."

Helene swept across the Gulf of Mexico, intensifying over the warm waters. It is forecasted to hit Florida’s panhandle on Thursday evening, with sustained wind speeds reaching up to 156 miles per hour (251 km per hour).

"For those in the path, that unfortunately means catastrophic wind impacts," stated Jamie Rhome, Deputy Director of the National Hurricane Center.

Storm Surge Concerns

The storm surge was estimated to rise between 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6.1 meters) in the Big Bend area of Florida’s panhandle, according to Rhome.

More than 40 million individuals in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama were under hurricane and tropical storm warnings, according to the hurricane center.

Numerous evacuations were mandated along Florida’s Gulf Coast, spanning counties such as Sarasota and Charlotte, while many areas announced school closures, including Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

In Pinellas County, officials initiated evacuations for long-term healthcare facilities like nursing homes, assisted living centers, and hospitals located near the coast. This county is positioned on a peninsula bordered by Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

John Dailey, the mayor of Tallahassee, which lies directly in Helene’s path, indicated that this hurricane could be the strongest to strike his city directly. He warned that Helene might cause "unprecedented damage like nothing we have ever experienced before as a community."

Heavy Rainfall and Flooding Risks

After making landfall, Helene was expected to release up to 15 inches (38.1 cm) of rain in certain isolated areas, potentially leading to significant flash and urban flooding.

Rhome noted that flash flooding from heavy rainfall typically accounts for about half of hurricane-related fatalities. He urged residents in the impacted areas to exercise extreme caution, particularly when navigating flooded roads.

The anticipated area affected by hurricane-force winds spans roughly 180 miles (290 km) from the Florida panhandle into southern Georgia.

"You need to prepare for prolonged power outages; strong winds will bring down trees and block roads," Rhome cautioned.