The U.S. is bracing for the impact of Tropical Storm Helene, the eighth named storm of the 2024 hurricane season, which experts say could become a hurricane before it makes landfall in Florida on Tuesday.
Helene formed in the northwestern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday morning and is expected to gain strength rapidly, CNN reported, prompting hurricane warnings along parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast and Mexico. In response to the forecast, President Joe Biden issued a state of emergency in Florida on Tuesday, where evacuations have already begun.
Here’s what you need to know.
Tropical Storm Helene’s forecast. In its Tuesday afternoon advisory, the National Hurricane Center said it expected Helene to be near hurricane strength when it passes near the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday. Forecasters expect Helene to make landfall on Thursday in Florida.
Although there’s a lot of attention Florida, Helene’s impact could extend far beyond the state because of the size of the storm, potentially reaching Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana. In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency.
All eyes on the Gulf. The storm is expected to “rapidly intensify and grow in size over the eastern Gulf of Mexico,” the National Hurricane Center said. The key here is the Gulf of Mexico, which is full of warm water that increases the strength of storms. According to climate researcher Brian McNoldy, heat in the Gulf of Mexico is at a record high for this time of year.
Impact on Florida. As of Tuesday afternoon, there is a danger for life-threatening storm surge on the entire west coast of the Florida peninsula and Florida Big Bend.
Forecasters said that Florida Big Bend was expected to get hit especially hard. The area is set to see the highest inundation levels along with damaging hurricane-force winds.
“Preparations to protect life and property should be complete by early Thursday since tropical storm conditions are expected to begin within this area on Thursday,” the National Hurricane Center said.
In addition, forecasters warned that portions of Florida could see considerable flash and urban flooding from Wednesday through Friday. The Southeast, the southern Appalachians, and the Tennessee Valley were also under alert for flooding. Furthermore, the southern Appalachians could experience landslides because of the storm.
The preparations. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 61 of the region’s 67 counties, according to The Miami Herald. The Herald reports that mandatory evacuations have begun in counties near the Big Bend area. Coastal communities could see between 10 and 15 feet of storm surge, which could destroy buildings and pose a drowning risk for people who stay in the area.
State personnel, including the Florida National Guard and search and rescue teams, have been deployed across the state. Meanwhile, FEMA has sent emergency teams to Florida, along with generators, food, and water.
“For the state of Florida, we’ve turned on everything starting yesterday. We are rocking and rolling,” DeSantis said. “There is still some uncertainty, but I think the fact that this would be forecasted as a major [storm] without formation shows that this has a potential to be a really, really significant storm.”
Images | NOAA
View 0 comments