Parts of Florida are facing “unsurvivable” conditions as Hurricane Helene approaches later Thursday, according to the U.S. weather service, which warns that strong winds will generate destructive waves and a storm surge reaching up to 20 feet (six meters) along the low-lying coast. Residents have responded to mass evacuation orders and evacuated ahead of what is projected to be one of the largest storms in the Gulf of Mexico in decades.
As of midday Thursday, the fast-moving and intensifying storm was classified as a Category 2 by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, with wind speeds of 105 miles (169 kilometers) per hour as it moved over the warm waters of the Gulf. The NHC indicated that Helene is expected to make landfall at or near Florida’s Big Bend coast in the evening as a major Category 3 storm, and potentially even a Category 4.
The hurricane center made a stark warning on X, stating: “EVERYONE along the Florida Big Bend coast is at risk of potentially catastrophic storm surge.” Tampa and Tallahassee airports have already shut down, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to complete their final preparations before the storm strikes.
“This is a very dangerous hurricane,” said NHC director Mike Brennan. “We’re expecting to see a storm surge inundation of 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) above ground level. That’s up to the top of a second story building. Again, a really unsurvivable scenario is going to play out here in this portion of the Florida coastline.” He added that the accompanying waves “can destroy houses, move cars, and that water level is going to rise very quickly.”
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Despite the dire predictions, Patrick Riickert chose not to evacuate from his small wooden house in Crawfordville, a town of 5,000 people that is likely to be severely impacted by Helene. While most of the town has evacuated, he and his wife, along with their five grandchildren, decided, “We’re not going anywhere.” The 58-year-old plans to “hunker down” and weather the storm, just as he did in 2018 during the onslaught of Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 megastorm. “I trust in my faith that God is going to keep me safe,” he said.
The NHC has cautioned that some areas inland could see up to 20 inches (51 cm) of rain, potentially leading to life-threatening flooding and “numerous” landslides across the southern Appalachians. Several states in the potential path of the storm are already experiencing strong winds and heavy rain. Local media reports indicate that floodwaters in cities around Tampa Bay have made roads impassable.
The risk of tornadoes is increasing across northern Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Atlanta, Georgia’s capital with a population of about five million, is expected to experience tropical storm-force winds and up to 12 inches (30.5 cm) of rain, which authorities warn could lead to flash flooding. Most of Georgia, like Florida, is under a state of emergency and is currently on flood watch, while Tennessee—over 300 miles from the Gulf Coast—is preparing for tropical storm conditions statewide.
“This is going to be a multi-state event with the potential for significant impacts from Florida all the way to Tennessee,” Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell told reporters at the White House after updating President Joe Biden on the situation. “The president wants to make sure that everyone is paying attention to the potential life-threatening impacts that this storm may bring.”
In response, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has mobilized the National Guard and positioned thousands of personnel for search and rescue operations as well as power restoration. The Tallahassee region is likely to experience a direct impact, and coastal communities now resemble ghost towns.
Helene is poised to become the most powerful hurricane to hit the United States in over a year and is almost certain to be the largest. Hurricane specialist Michael Lowry described Helene as “extreme,” noting the vast area of its tropical storm winds, which extend nearly 500 miles. Category 3 Hurricane Idalia previously struck northwestern Florida in August 2023. Researchers suggest that climate change likely contributes to the rapid intensification of storms due to the increased energy available in warmer ocean waters.
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