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

Storm Helene batters Cancún

Florida is bracing for “unsurvivable” storm surge from Hurricane Helene, which is expected to strengthen into a Category 4 storm before making landfall later on Thursday.

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, currently a Category 3 storm, 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.

Key Points

• Hurricane Helene strengthened to a Category 3 storm Thursday afternoon
• Helene likely to intensify to a Category 4 hurricane before landfall
• Satellite images show Hurricane Helene as charts path to Florida coast
• Watch live: Category 2 Hurricane Helene set to make landfall in Florida

[26 September 2024 14:51 · James Liddell]

Hurricane Helene set to become Category 3 storm this afternoon

Helene is expected to be upgraded to a Category 3 storm at this afternoon before then intensifying further to a near-Category 4 storm later this evening, upon potentially making landfall at Florida’s Big Bend.

A Category 3 hurricane sees wind speeds surpass 111mph up to 129mph, the National Hurricane Center says. “Devastating damage will occur,” according to the definition the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane scale.

If Helene strengthens to a Category 4 hurricane, it is likely “catastrophic damage will occur”. Sustained winds in a Catergoy 4 hurricane could be anywhere from 130mph to 156mph.

[26 September 2024 14:32 · James Liddell]

Tornadoes ‘likely’ in parts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina

The National Weather Service’s tornado branch has issued a tornado watch for parts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

The separate alerts, which are valid until 8pm ET in Florida and 9pm in Georgia and South Carolina this evening, outlines that “several tornadoes are likely” across the states. No hail is expected.

More than 17.5m people will potentially be exposed to tornadoes in Florida, including an estimated 3,305 schools and 224 hospitals.

While in Georgia and South Carolina, more than 3.5m residents, 906 schools and 86 hospitals are in the potential path.

See NWS Tornado’s updates below:

[26 September 2024 14:12 · James Liddell]

‘Time is running out to evacuate’: Ron DeSantis gives Floridians urgent warning in Fox News interview

[26 September 2024 13:52 · James Liddell]

Helene becomes Category 2 hurricane, NHS announces

[26 September 2024 13:48 · James Liddell]

Watch live as Florida braces for ‘catastrophic’ Hurricane Helene

[26 September 2024 13:40 · James Liddell]

What are the different categories of hurricane?

There are five levels of hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane scale:

Category 1

A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when winds exceed 74mph. The hurricane will stay in this bracket until it reaches 96mph. The National Hurricane Center describes it as “very dangerous winds will produce some damage”.

Category 2

Category 2 hurricanes have sustained winds between 96mph and 110mph. The NHC described them as “extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage”.

Category 3

“Devastating damage will occur,” from the 111mph to 129mph winds, the NHC says.

Category 4

Helene may strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane the NHC says, which will mean “catastrophic damage will occur”. Sustained winds will be anywhere from 130mph to 156mph.

Category 5

Again, “catastrophic damage will occur,” during the strongest category of hurricane – which is wind speeds greater than 157mph. Framed homes in its path will likely be destroyed, the NHC says.

[26 September 2024 13:20 · James Liddell]

Florida’s Big Bend in direct path of Helene’s most catastrophic winds

Florida’s Big Bend region is in the direct path of Hurricane Helene’s most brutal winds (National Hurricane Center )

[26 September 2024 13:15 · Rachel Sharp]

Hurricane Helene strengthens to Category 2 storm

Hurricane Helene has now strengthened to a Category 2 storm as it continues to chart its path towards Florida.

The NHC warned that “significant additional strengthening” is expected before it makes landfall later today.

[26 September 2024 13:00 · James Liddell]

Watch: How Floridians are prepare for Helene

[26 September 2024 12:40 · James Liddell]

Schools closed across all of Florida’s counties

K-12 schools across all 67 counties in Florida will be closed on Thursday, according to the latest update from the Florida Department of Education.

A further 25 colleges and 11 state universities will also close their doors in anticipation of Hurricane Helene making landfall.

“The Florida Department of Education works closely with school districts before, during and after natural disasters to ensure they have the resources necessary to resume normal operations as quickly as possible,” reads a statement on the Florida Department of Education’s website.