Hurricane Helene is expected to bring “unsurvivable” storm surge when the center approaches landfall late Thursday in Florida’s Big Bend, and the state capital, Tallahassee, is di…
Hurricane Helene’s wide and destructive wind field was crossing just west of the Florida Keys on Thursday morning and is expected to rapidly intensify on a direct path for Florida’s Big Bend region, where it could pose “a nightmare surge scenario for Apalachee Bay,” according to the National Weather Service.Helene will have one of the largest wind fields of any storm to hit the southeast U.S.
The fast-moving storm’s wind and rain could also penetrate far inland: The hurricane center posted hurricane warnings well into Georgia and tropical storm warnings as far north as North Carolina, and it warned that much of the Southeast could experience prolonged power outages, toppled trees and dangerous flooding.
Parts of South Florida recorded wind gusts as high as 55 mph Wednesday night as Helene’s strong outer bands began to move through the region, according to the National Weather Service Miami. “A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend coast, where inundation could reach as high as 20 feet above ground level, along with destructive waves,” the hurricane center said.
A resident uses a piece of plastic sheet as protection from heavy rains brought on by Hurricane Helene, in Batabano, Cuba, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. Owners secure their boats outside the Davis Islands Yacht Club Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, ahead of Hurricane Helene in Tampa, Fla. Sandbags are filled at a public site while residents prepare their homes for potential flooding, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Tarpon Springs, Fla., as Tropical Storm Helene approaches.
Karl Bohlmann, left, and Tangi Bohlmann, of Tarpon Springs, collect sandbags at a public site while residents prepare their homes for potential flooding, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Tarpon Springs, Fla., as the Tropical Storm Helene approaches. Storm clouds are seen on the horizon as the sun sets on Sept. 24, 2024 in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Tropical Storm Helene is forecast to become a major hurricane, bringing a potential for deadly storm surge, flooding rain, and destructive hurricane-force winds along parts of the Florida West coast. Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida on Thursday.
Tampa International Airport will suspend operations Thursday. There is the possibility of 5-8 feet of surge hitting the Tampa area, if peak surge were to hit at high tide, the National Hurricane Center estimated. The projected speed of the storm will also likely carry devastating impacts far inland. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting the the storm remain a hurricane well into Georgia, where some universities and school systems have also planned to close Thursday and Friday.
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