A colossal hurricane has made landfall in Florida as a category four storm, claiming at least one life. Hurricane Helene, a category four storm, is expected to bring sustained winds of around 140mph (225km/hr) along with a potential 20ft (6m) storm surge in certain coastal areas. The BBC Weather reports that up to 20 inches (500mm) of rainfall is anticipated in parts of south-east USA in the upcoming days as a result of Helene’s impact.
The National Hurricane Centre in Miami disclosed that Hurricane Helene hit the Florida coast near the Aucilla River in the Big Bend area around 11.10 pm local time on Thursday. Authorities have warned of substantial storm surges, particularly in Florida’s Apalachee Bay, labelling them as potentially “catastrophic and unsurvivable.” Tragic news emerged as Florida governor Ron DeSantis confirmed the death of an individual due to a fallen sign near Tampa, further cautioning that additional fatalities could occur.
The repercussions of Hurricane Helene have prompted hurricane warnings and flash flood alerts that extend beyond the coast, reaching as far as northern Georgia and western North Carolina. The formidable winds have already caused power outages affecting nearly 900,000 residences and businesses in Florida, as indicated by the poweroutage.us tracking site. In response to the imminent threat, the governors of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, and Virginia have all declared states of emergency.
In the midst of the storm’s approach, two individuals reportedly lost their lives in a potential tornado incident in south Georgia. The National Weather Service in Tallahassee heightened the alert level with an “extreme wind warning” for the Big Bend area as the storm’s eyewall approached, advising residents to take shelter immediately.
Hurricane Helene’s arrival marks a year since Hurricane Idalia struck Florida’s Big Bend area, causing widespread devastation. While Idalia intensified to a category four hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, it made landfall as a category three near Keaton Beach. Evacuation orders have been issued for numerous communities along the Gulf Coast, including Tallahassee, Gainesville, Cedar Key, and Sarasota, with closures of schools, universities, and airports in the affected regions.
Federal authorities are mobilising search-and-rescue teams in anticipation of storm surges up to 20ft, specially cautioning about the potentially catastrophic nature of these surges in Apalachee Bay. Residents are urged to heed evacuation orders diligently as the situation unfolds amidst extreme weather conditions. The area impacted by Hurricane Helene, known as the Forgotten Coast, stands out for its natural beauty, characterised by salt marshes, tidal pools, and barrier islands.
As the region braces for the impact of Hurricane Helene, locals emphasise the risk that comes with residing in such areas prone to severe storms. Anthony Godwin, a resident of Panacea, underscores the peril involved in living close to the water, expressing the need for vigilance and preparation in the face of adverse weather.