Hurricane Helene is expected to rapidly grow and approach Florida on Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing catastrophic winds of up to 251 kph, according to forecasts. Helene reached the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and was forecast to gain intensity in the warm waters before making landfall on Florida's panhandle on Thursday evening.
As the storm approaches, local authorities are working tirelessly to prepare for its impact. Emergency response teams have been mobilized, and shelters are being set up across the state to accommodate those who may need to evacuate. The Florida National Guard has also been activated, with over 5,000 personnel ready to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties in Florida, allowing for the rapid deployment of resources and federal assistance if needed.
According to National Hurricane Center assistant director Jamie Rhome, the anticipated increase in severity to category 4 with sustained winds of 209 to 251 kph will have catastrophic wind repercussions on anyone in its path.
Storm surge, or the wall of saltwater pushed on land by hurricane-force winds, has been revised to 4.6 to 6.1 meters in the Big Bend area of Florida's panhandle, where the storm is predicted to make landfall, according to Rhome. The hurricane center issued hurricane and tropical storm warnings to more than 40 million people in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
The economic impact of Hurricane Helene is expected to be severe. Analysts predict that the storm could cause billions of dollars in damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses. The tourism industry, a vital part of Florida's economy, is bracing for significant losses as visitors cancel their plans and coastal attractions shut down. Insurance companies are also preparing for a surge in claims, with some experts warning that the storm could lead to long-term increases in insurance premiums for residents in affected areas.
Numerous evacuation orders have been issued along Florida's Gulf Coast, particularly in Sarasota and Charlotte counties, and scores of counties, including Hillsborough and Pinellas, have declared school closures.
Melissa Wolcott-Martino, a retired magazine editor in St Petersburg, was packed on Wednesday as weather predictions played on her television before abandoning her one-story beachfront home and moving for higher ground.
Hours before, she had finished repairing the damage caused by last year's Hurricane Idalia, which pounded the low-lying area with tremendous winds and deadly floodwaters.
We had Idalia last year, the 81-year-old revealed in a phone conversation. We just finished the renovations, made the last touches today, and are currently packing for a fresh storm. This is not so good.
Pinellas County officials have ordered the evacuation of long-term healthcare facilities near the ocean, like as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals. The county is located on a peninsula flanked by Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Environmental experts are raising concerns about the potential ecological impact of Hurricane Helene. The storm's intense winds and storm surge could cause significant damage to coastal ecosystems, including mangrove forests and seagrass beds that provide crucial habitats for marine life. There are also fears that the hurricane could exacerbate ongoing issues such as beach erosion and water pollution. Scientists are particularly worried about the possibility of toxic algal blooms being stirred up by the storm, which could have devastating effects on marine ecosystems and local fishing industries.
You still have time to prepare, evaluate your storm plan, and ensure that you are carrying out your hurricane preparedness plan, Governor Ron DeSantis stated in a Tuesday press briefing.
Helene pummeled Cuba with torrential rains overnight, depositing up to 20.3 cm in 24 hours in sections of the western tobacco-growing province of Pinar del Rio, according to the provincial meteorological agency.
Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, is anticipated to bring up to 38.1cm of rain to isolated areas in Florida, leading to flash and urban floods, according to the Hurricane Center.
According to Rhome of the storm center, flash flooding induced by torrential rain accounts for almost half of all hurricane fatalities, often among people who drive into flooded highways and are swept away. He encouraged people in affected areas to exercise utmost caution.
Rhome noted that the projected hurricane-force wind impact region extended approximately 290 kilometers north from the Florida panhandle to southern Georgia.
As Hurricane Helene approaches, climate scientists are pointing to the storm as another example of the increasing intensity of tropical cyclones due to climate change. Warmer ocean temperatures provide more energy for hurricanes to feed on, potentially leading to stronger and more destructive storms. Some experts are calling for increased investment in climate resilience measures, such as improved infrastructure and natural flood defenses, to help communities better withstand future storms. The situation has also reignited debates about coastal development policies and the long-term sustainability of living in hurricane-prone areas.
Rhome advised that you should plan for long-term (electricity) disruptions since those trees would fall in severe winds and obstruct the roadways. Residents in the probable route may expect to be without power for up to a week, according to a Florida emergency briefing.
On Wednesday, farmers in southwestern Georgia scrambled to rescue their cotton and pecan crops, according to Pam Knox, an agriculture climatologist at the University of Georgia in Athens. Farmers often have weeks, not days, to bring in harvests, Knox said on Wednesday. This is going to be a billion-dollar disaster, Knox said.
