Hurricane Helene live: Florida faces ‘unsurvivable’ storm surge as Category 4 storm forecast to make landfall
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 as Hurricane Helene is expected to strengthen into a Category 4 storm before making landfall later today.
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. It is expected to make landfall near Florida’s Big Bend region late on Thursday.
Hurricane Helene, currently a Category 1 storm, has 90mph winds as of Thursday morning, with sustained winds potentially building up to 135mph. Florida officials are warning residents to brace for life-threatening rain, floods and storm surge.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, and several areas remain under hurricane warnings. Florida’s Big Bend will see the worst of the storm surge, with up to 20ft possible this week.
On Wednesday, Florida Senator Rick Scott told residents that those in the path of the storm surge won’t survive.
“In the Big Bend, they’re talking about possibly 18ft of storm surge,” Scott said in Taylor County. “I’m a little over six feet — that’s three times my height. None of us are living that....You’re not going to survive.”
Helene reaches hurricane strength
Storm Helene has reached hurricane strength with 80 mph sustained winds, the National Weather Service announced moments ago.
The hurricane will likely reach Category 3 before it makes landfall in Florida on Thursday.
The storm is likely to bring “life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States,” according to the NWS.
Helene to hit Florida as state still recovering from Hurricane Ian in 2022
Storm Helene, which is expected to strengthen to Category 3 today, will batter Florida as the state continues recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian, a devastating storm that hit in 2022.
Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa, Florida, two years ago. Meanwhile, Helene is set to make landfall slightly north, near Florida’s Big Bend region.
Hurricane Ian is the costliest to ever hit Florida and the third-costliest in US history.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided $1.15 billion for 387,139 households to assist with home repairs, lodging expenses, rent payments and other needs.
The agency also allocated $2.3 billion to reimburse state, local and tribal governments and nonprofit organizations for storm-related costs.
Watch: Storm Helene batters Cancun
State emergency chief warns residents of Helene’s impact
Florida’s emergency chief, Kevin Guthrie, warned the effects of Helene will be far-reaching.
“Tropical storm force winds can be filled up to 250 miles from the center,” Guthrie explained at a Wednesday morning press conference
“Tornadoes are probable and high winds, life-threatening storm surge and flooding cannot be ruled out,” he added.
Guthrie urged residents to keep their devices on to receive emergency alerts and to have an evacuation plan in place.
Tracking Helene: Where is it now?
Tropical Storm Helene is set to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane today as it approaches Florida.
The storm will make landfall on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, bringing powerful winds, floods and life-threatening storm surge as thousands evacuate.
Florida’s Big Bend will see the worst of the storm surge, with up to 15 feet possible this week.
Satellite imagery: Tropical Storm Helene rages through the Caribbean
Diagram: How high could Florida’s ‘life-threatening’ storm surge reach?
Floridians out in droves as they prepare for hurricane-force wins
Florida’s Task Force 2 search and rescue team deployed
Miami Fire Rescue’s search and rescue team Task Force 2 has been deployed, as its 80-member team were on standby with equipment and supplies in its warehouse on Wednesday morning.
Task Force 2 which specializes in swift water rescue and disaster response.
Equipped with SUVs, box trucks, tractors and boats loaded with food and medical supplies, the unit will head to Orlando where it will be stationed until the storm passes.
“We are expecting a Category 3 (hurricane) to enter through the Big Bend, not exactly sure where it’s going to enter, but on the west coast and as you see the storm surge is the biggest concern. So we have water specialists who are specially trained for swift water rescues to help the victims,” he told CBS News.
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