Hurricane Helene accelerates toward Florida’s Big Bend threatening ‘unsurvivable’ storm surge: Live
Hurricane Helene could bring ‘unprecedented damage’ to Florida with sustained winds up to 135mph and 20ft storm surge
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Florida is bracing for “unsurvivable” storm surge from Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm.
In the afternoon, Helene was accelerating toward Florida’s Big Bend, bringing tropical storm conditions across most of the state’s western coast.
Just over a month after Storm Debby hurtled into the Sunshine State, Hurricane Helene now threatens to become the strongest storm to hit the US in over a year.
Hurricane Helene has maximum sustained winds of 120mph as of Thursday afternoon. Florida officials are warning residents to brace for life-threatening rain, floods and storm surge. All parts of Florida are under a hurricane or tropical storm warning.
Its size is also massive compared to previous hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Local forecasters estimate the storm stretches 822 miles in width, and 114 in length. Hurricane warnings extend roughly 90 miles above the Georgia-Florida line.
According to The Associated Press, Helene is forecast to be one of the largest storms in breadth to hit the region in years, with only three bigger since 1988.
Mapped: Charting Hurricane Helene’s path as Florida braces for landfall
Hurricane Helene threatens ‘unsurvivable’ storm surge and damage, forecasters say
Watch live: Category 2 Hurricane Helene set to make landfall in Florida
Disney cruise stuck at sea while Hurricane Helene ripped through the Cayman Islands
Florida sheriff says residents who won’t evacuate could die
In an interview with ABC News, Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett says residents who are refusing to evacuate low-lying areas by the coastline, about 200 people, could very well die.
“That’s a death threat because you’re looking at, they’re calling for 18- or 20-foot storm surge,” he told the outlet.
“We’ve never had a storm surge like this in this county. These old houses, some of them on this coast, have been there for years and years and years, and they’re just not going to stand up to it. The water — you can kind of hide from the wind — but you can’t hide from that water.”
Vice President urging Florida residents to take storm 'seriously’
As of 5 pm ET, Helene had sustained winds of 125 mph. Forecasters warned Helene would likely strengthen into a Category 4 storm before it makes landfall tonight in Florida’s Big Bend.
Kamala Harris has said, “The President and I, of course, are monitoring the case and the situation closely, and we urge everyone who is watching at this very moment to take this storm very seriously and please follow the guidance of your local officials.
“President Biden and I, of course, will continue to work closely with state and local officials to ensure that everyone is safe and to protect communities before, during, and after the storm.”
World Central Kitchen in Tallahassee preparing to deliver meals
The charity’s staff is setting up to deliver sandwiches to communities in Florida impacted by the storm on Friday.
WATCH IT: Water pours onto Tampa Bridge
Water seen flowing onto water in Howard Frankland Bridge.
The bridge is now closed at the state is advising motorists to stay off the highways.
West Virginia Governor issues state of preparedness for 22 counties
Governor Jim Justice issued a state of preparedness on Thursday for 22 West Virginia counties.
They are: Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Summers, Wayne, Webster and Wyoming.
Water is seen splashing over Tampa’s Howard Frankland Bridge as a car whizzes across
Walt Disney World cancels experiences in response to Hurricane Helene
Florida’s Walt Disney World cancelled some experiences in response to Hurricane Helene.
Its Typhoon Lagoon water park was temporarily closed and Beachcomber Shack and Typhoon Lagoon Umbrella rentals were cancelled.
A Halloween-themed even, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, was cancelled. Guests would be refunded for that event.
Mini golf courses at Fantasia Garden and Fairways and Winter Summerland were also temporarily closed.
Photos show surfers take to the beach as Hurricane Helene bears down on Florida
Surfers took to the beach in Panama City ahead of Hurricane Helene on Thursday afternoon.
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office tells residents to write personal information on their bodies in permanent marker
Officials in the rural Taylor County, along Florida’s Big Bend region, are telling their residents to write identifying information on their bodies in permanent marker before the storm hits.
“If you or someone you know chose not to evacuate, PLEASE write your, Name, birthday and important information on your arm or leg in A PERMANENT MARKER so that you can be identified and family notified,” the office wrote on Facebook.
The sheriff’s office asked residents to email them other vital information, including the location of their home and the number of people and animals who live there.
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