Tropical Storm Helene is forecasted to strike Florida’s Gulf Coast later on Thursday, rapidly intensifying into a dangerous hurricane. With the potential to become the most powerful storm to hit the United States in over a year, authorities and residents across Florida are bracing for its impact. Forecasters have predicted that Helene will reach Category 3 status as it moves over the Gulf of Mexico, with winds exceeding 111 mph (179 km/h) and the threat of significant storm surges.
Helene is currently moving away from Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, entering the warm waters of the Gulf where it is expected to “rapidly intensify to a major hurricane and grow in size in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.” The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings of life-threatening storm surges along the entire western Florida coastline and the Big Bend region.
Storm Size and Impact Predicted to be Larger than Recent Hurricanes
Helene is anticipated to be a larger storm in terms of wind field and rain bands compared to 90% of major hurricanes. The storm’s reach is forecasted to extend over 140 miles (225 kilometers) from its center, which could result in widespread damage across Florida and neighboring states.
Early forecasts on Wednesday predicted that Helene would escalate from a 45-mph (72-kmh) tropical storm to a Category 3 hurricane in under 48 hours, setting the stage for a potentially catastrophic landfall.
With the storm tracking directly towards Florida’s capital, Tallahassee, both hurricane and tropical storm warnings have been issued across much of the state. Areas from the Florida Keys, stretching inland to Orlando, and up through the Big Bend coast are all under alert. Coastal regions west into the Florida Panhandle are also preparing for the storm’s arrival.
Evacuations and Emergency Preparations Underway
Evacuations of thousands of residents south of Tallahassee began early Wednesday, as officials urged people to take the threat seriously. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for Florida, pledging federal assistance to help the state manage the storm’s impact.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expanded the state of emergency to include 61 of Florida’s 67 counties, with mandatory evacuations ordered in the Big Bend area where the highest storm surges are expected. During a press conference on Tuesday, DeSantis emphasized the dangers posed by rising water levels.
“The wind you can hide from,” DeSantis said, “but it is the water that can be very, very devastating if you remain there when you are told to evacuate.”
Federal and state agencies are coordinating their response efforts, with the Florida National Guard, search and rescue teams, and wildlife crews all being deployed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also sent teams to the state in preparation for Helene’s landfall.
Warnings About the Storm’s Size and Strength
Helene is shaping up to be larger and potentially more dangerous than many recent storms. Kevin Guthrie, the director of FEMA, described Helene as “nearly twice the size of Debby and Idalia, with possibly a stronger core,” highlighting the severity of the threat.
Jamie Rhome, the deputy director of the NHC, echoed these concerns, noting that “the wind swath is going to be huge with this system, and it is basically going to carve a path right over a good portion of the Florida peninsula, including the highly-populated I-4 corridor.”
Neighboring States on High Alert
As the storm intensifies, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has also declared a state of emergency, urging residents to stay vigilant. “Prepare for and direct resources well in advance of the storm’s arrival. Stay vigilant and stay safe,” he warned in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Climate Crisis Amplifying Storm’s Strength
Helene’s rapid intensification is being fueled by exceptionally warm water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, which have reached 90°F (32°C). These conditions are believed to be a direct result of the ongoing climate crisis, with warmer seas providing more energy for storms like Helene to gain strength.
While meteorologists had anticipated a busier hurricane season, the relatively quiet start has allowed ocean temperatures to increase without disturbance, giving storms like Helene the opportunity to rapidly grow in intensity.
Florida Braces for Impact
As Helene approaches the Florida coastline, it is set to become the fourth hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. this year and the fifth to hit Florida since 2022. The storm’s arrival, expected late Thursday or early Friday, poses a serious threat to life and property, with officials urging residents in affected areas to heed evacuation orders and take all necessary precautions.
