Helene is nearing hurricane strength as Florida braces for life-threatening Category 3 storm’s arrival: Live
Helene will likely upgrade to a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall in Florida
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Tropical Storm Helene is rapidly strengthening as it advances across Mexico’s coast towards the US, threatening Florida with powerful winds, floods and life-threatening storm surge as thousands evacuate.
Just over a month after Storm Debby hurtled into the Sunshine State, Helene now threatens to become the strongest storm to hit the US in over a year as it is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast late on Thursday. If it does, Helene will be the fourth hurricane to make landfall in the US this year.
Helene is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane today, with wind speeds already at 70 mph as of Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, and several areas are under hurricane warnings. Florida’s Big Bend will see the worst of the storm surge, with up to 15 feet possible this week.
The storm’s center approached the Yucatán Peninsula Wednesday morning, churning between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
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.
Tropical Storm Helene ‘close to hurricane strength’ as wind speeds hit 70mph
Tropical Storm Helene is close to being upgraded to a category 1 hurricane with its wind speeds reaching 70mph, National Hurricane Center announced at 7am ET in its latest advisory.
Hurricanes occur when maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Helene is situated just offshore the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, as per the NHC’s update. It continues to move north west at approximately 9mph.
Its tropical storm warning has been extended northward to Altamaha Sound, Georgia.
Latest satellite imaging shows storm Helene’s path to Florida’s Golf Coast
Just in: Helene just offshore Yucatan Peninsula’s northeastern coast as winds intensify
Blood donations requested ahead of Helene making landfall at Florida’s west coast
Blood donation charity OneBlood, that operates across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, has called for more donations in preparation of Tropical Storm Helene’s prospective landfall at the west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Big Bend on Thursday.
O Negative, O Positive and platelet donations are particularly in demand, OneBlood said in a press release.
“Hurricanes and tropical systems can disrupt blood collections. The most critical time for blood donations is prior to the storm in order to ensure a ready blood supply during and immediately after the event,” the charity added.
Helene threatens to become the strongest storm to hit the US in over a year, with winds potentially strengthening to up to 120mph by the time the storm hits the Florida Gulf Coast.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments