Online information has been released regarding a potentially fatal storm that could affect four states in the United States. News sources not only provide the storm’s timeline but also advise people to prepare a contingency plan. Hurricane Helene, a powerful hurricane that is predicted to hit Florida, is the strongest storm to hit the country in more than a year, according to a recent CNN article. Conditions for a tropical storm could develop in the next 36 to 48 hours. The hurricane, which originated in the northwest Caribbean Sea, is expected to intensify quickly.
CNN reports that the hurricane could intensify from a tropical storm with 45 mph winds to a powerful Category 3 hurricane in as little as 48 hours. Hurricane Helene is intensifying over the unusually warm waters along the Mexican Gulf Coast. The news agency has asked residents in Florida’s coastal areas to get ready for the potentially fatal storm surge, inundating downpour, and devastating winds due to the hastened schedule. Hurricane Helene’s predicted strong winds and heavy rains have the potential to cause severe power outages that might affect a large area. Tornadoes are another impending menace.
Residents in Florida’s coastal regions are apparently expecting to be evacuated today, Tuesday, September 24. In addition, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office has issued a social media notice informing Big Bend region residents that a county-wide evacuation order is probably coming later in the day. The Big Bend region, which may see the most catastrophic storm surge of up to 15 feet, is where the storm is expected to make landfall. CNN predicts that if the storm’s size and severity increase, the greater Tampa area may also see surges of up to eight feet.
Tropical storm-force wind gusts could start hitting the Florida Keys as early as Wednesday afternoon, September 25, and they could reach a significant portion of the Peninsula by Thursday morning, September 26, at the latest. There is a chance that hurricane-force wind gusts will follow quickly behind. To expedite the state’s preparations and local government-to-state communication, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an emergency declaration for 41 of the state’s 67 counties. A bulletin outlining and analyzing Hurricane Helene’s forecast was also provided by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the National Hurricane Center via their websites. They indicated which regions will be impacted and described how, just like CNN.
Due to the storm’s predicted impact on the Southeast, residents living outside of Florida are also advised to prepare by putting in place a hurricane strategy. According to the Weather Prediction Center, flooding rain may also strike the states of Georgia, Alabama, and parts of the Carolinas on Thursday, September 26. As of right now, the danger level is rated as 3 out of 4.