Florida is facing severe storms and power outages as Hurricane Helene, now a category 4 storm, approaches landfall. This powerful storm is the most intense the United States has experienced this year. Moving towards Florida’s Gulf Coast, the hurricane has already left more than 600,000 people without electricity. Forecasters warn that the situation could worsen as the storm makes landfall, with a “nightmare” scenario predicted for Thursday night.
Life-Threatening Storm Surge Expected
Experts anticipate that the storm surge in Florida’s Big Bend area could reach between 15-20 feet, creating dangerous conditions in the Panhandle region. The Gulf of Mexico’s unusually warm waters have fueled Helene’s strength, raising concerns about the increasing vulnerability of Florida to such catastrophic storms.
Storm Approaching Landfall
By Thursday afternoon, Hurricane Helene had reached category 3 status, and it was around 200 miles southwest of Tampa. Moving at 16 mph, the storm slightly accelerated, bringing flooding to communities like Fort Myers Beach, where water levels had risen 2 feet above normal even before landfall.
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.
There is also a danger of life-threatening storm surge along the remainder of the west… pic.twitter.com/jizu9K9HNp
— National Weather Service (@NWS) September 26, 2024
Widespread Power Outages
Over 600,000 people in Florida are without power, according to PowerOutage.us. Governor Ron DeSantis indicated that the storm would likely make landfall around 11 pm local time, with predictions shifting slightly eastward. “Most of the data that we have does have a Taylor County landfall,” he noted. A state of emergency has already been declared across much of the region.
Urgent Warnings from Authorities
The National Weather Service issued dire warnings about the potentially deadly storm surge, predicting flooding up to 20 feet above ground in some areas. Residents were urged to complete preparations for the storm by early Thursday, as tropical storm conditions began to set in.
Federal Assistance and Evacuations
US President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for Florida on Tuesday, extending federal assistance to Alabama as well. Mandatory evacuations have been underway since earlier in the week, with officials urging residents to act quickly. Deanne Criswell, FEMA administrator, emphasized the widespread impact, noting that the storm could affect states as far as Tennessee.
Governor DeSantis Issues Final Alert
Governor DeSantis stressed the severity of the situation, warning of extensive damage from the storm. “It’s not a matter of whether we’re going to get effects, it’s just a question of how significant those effects will be,” he said. Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida’s emergency management division, urged residents to evacuate immediately: “You do have time to evacuate, but that time is now.”