The National Hurricane Center (NHC) released on Wednesday the latest projected trajectory of Helene, which is expected to hit parts of Florida as a category 3 hurricane throughout the week.
The map indicates that Helene, currently a tropical storm, is set to hit the Florida Gulf coast as early as Wednesday, and then intensify quickly before hitting the Big Bend area less than two days later as a hurricane.
"There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Florida Big Bend. The highest inundation levels are expected along the coast of the Florida Big Bend. Residents in those areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so," reads a passage of the release by the NHC.
In fact, mandatory evacuations began in counties near the Big Bend area, including Gulf and Franklin, where communities could see between 10 and 15 of storm surge.
Here are the 4am CDT 25th September Key Messages for Tropical Storm #Helene.
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 25, 2024
Forecast to rapidly intensify to a Major Hurricane & grow in size in E Gulf of Mexico. Danger of life-threatening storm surge along entire W Florida coast & Big Bend area.https://t.co/XtkxtGEoBr pic.twitter.com/9Sw7BUJEFs
The center added that those living in the Big Bend area should complete preparations to "protect life and property" by early Thursday.
Practically the entire state is reached by a state of emergency declared by Governor Ron DeSantis, who cited risks associated with the system's development, including concerns about coastal erosion, widespread power outages and damage to roadways, hospitals and schools.
"The incoming heavy rainfall, flooding, and gusty winds will cause widespread power outages due to fallen trees and power lines," reads a passage of DeSantis' executive order. "There is a significant threat of storm surge, coastal flooding and erosion, heavy rainfall and flash flooding, and damaging winds to the Florida Gulf Coast."
Due to abnormally warm waters, some prediction models expect Helene to even turn into a possible Category 4 Major Hurricane. With this in mind, DeSantis urged Floridians to prepare by filling gas tanks, stocking up on food and be familiar with evacuation zones.
Sandbags were also distributed to residents in Tallahassee, Gulfport, and Henrico County ahead of potential flooding. The state has also deployed Florida National Guard soldiers as well as search and rescue teams. Florida State University and Florida A&M University in Tallahassee closed their campuses as of Wednesday.
According to Brian McNoldy, a senior research scientist at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School, water temperature in the Gulf is at a record high for this time of the year, which would cause the tropical storm to grow thanks to what experts call rapid intensification.
According to the Florida Climate Center, Helene would be the fifth hurricane to make landfall in Florida in the last three years and the fourth one to make landfall in the United States in 2024.
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