"The National Hurricane Center predicts Helene will make landfall in northern Florida as a Category 4 hurricane with a “deadly” storm surge up to 20 feet."
"The National Hurricane Center is now calling for Helene, which reached hurricane strength Wednesday morning, to rapidly intensify into an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm before making landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast on Thursday. Forecasters warned that the powerful and unusually large storm could bring “catastrophic” impacts from storm surge, wind and flooding in Florida and other parts of the southeastern United States as it moves swiftly inland through Friday.
The National Hurricane Center warned of a “catastrophic and deadly” storm surge in Florida’s Big Bend area “that could reach as high as 20 feet above ground level.” It also cautioned the surge could be life-threatening along the entire west coast of Florida’s peninsula. The surge in Tampa Bay was predicted to reach 5 to 8 feet high, which could break records.
According to the Hurricane Center, “potentially catastrophic winds” with gusts up to 130 mph are also possible in the Big Bend area, where the storm is predicted to make landfall Thursday evening. Several major Florida cities, such as Tampa, Gainesville and Tallahassee, could see gusts over 70 mph."
Matthew Cappucci and Jason Samenow report for the Washington Post September 25, 2024.
SEE ALSO:
"A Huge Hurricane Helene Is Expected To Hit Florida As A Major Storm And Strike Far Inland" (AP)
"Hurricane Helene Live Updates: Florida Residents Evacuate As Massive Storm Approaches" (AP)
"Remnants Of Hurricane John Drench Southern Mexico, Leaving Three Dead" (Reuters)
"Tropical Storm John To Become Hurricane Again As It Hurtles Back Into Mexico" (Reuters)
"US NHC Says 40% Chance Of Cyclone Over Central Subtropical Atlantic" (Reuters)
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