WASHINGTON.- La tormenta tropical Helene gains intensity quickly in the Caribbean Sea and became in a hurricane this Wednesday as it moves northward along the coast of Mexico toward the United States, causing evacuations, school closures and emergency declarations in Florida and Georgia. Measurements indicate that it could be the strongest hurricane to hit the United States in more than a year.
Helene entered hurricane status as it passed near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said it is expected to “intensify and grow in size” as it heads north across the Gulf of Mexico. Heavy rains are expected in the southeastern United States beginning Wednesday, with a potential storm surge of 100 miles (150 km) north. “potentially lethal storm surge” along the entire coast of Florida, he added.
“Helene becomes a hurricane. Life-threatening storm surge, hurricane-force winds, rain and flooding are expected across much of Florida and the southeastern United States,” the NHC reported in its latest bulletin.
Morning thoughts on Helene:
1) Helene will be a hurricane soon. As it moves away from the Yucatan peninsual today, intensification will becomoe rapid. The Gulf waters are very warm. Shear is low. Atmospheric humidity is high. Perfect recipe for rapid intensification and Helene… pic.twitter.com/MUgcOw4f4e— Paul Dellegatto⚡️FOX (@PaulFox13) September 25, 2024
Thousands of Florida residents were forced to evacuate coastal areas and almost the entire state is under alerta tropicalas Helene threatens to bring life-threatening flooding, strong winds, and storm surge. A hurricane watch has been issued flood warning for more than 20 million people since Florida as far south as the Appalachianswith a risk of tornadoes throughout the region until Friday.
Dave McCurley boards up the windows of his home ahead of Tropical Storm Helene, which is expected to make landfall as a hurricane, in Ochlockonee Bay, Florida – Credit: @Gerald Herbert
In Mexico Beach on the coast of Florida’s northwest Panhandle, Hal Summers said he’s taking no chances and will head inland with a friend. Summers, who works in a restaurant, said he barely survived Michael, a Category 5 hurricane that hit the same area in 2018. He said his home was destroyed and “it was a very traumatic experience.”
Mexico is still reeling from Hurricane John, which slammed into the southern Pacific coast on Monday night, killing two people and ripping tin roofs off homes, causing landslides and toppling dozens of trees. John strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane within hours on Monday and made landfall 80 miles (128 kilometers) east of the resort city of Acapulco near Punta Maldonado with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (193 kph) before weakening to a tropical storm as it moved inland.
Helene, which formed Tuesday in the Caribbean, is expected to move over deep, warm waters, fueling its intensification. People in areas with hurricane watches and warnings should be prepared for possible power outages and have food and water available enough for at least three daysauthorities warned.
“It’s going to be a very large system with impacts across Florida,” said NHC specialist Larry Kelly.
Some residents in areas around Tampa and Tallahassee began filling sandbags in anticipation of flooding and began moving away from coastal areas.
The President of the United States, Joe Biden declared an emergency in Florida and sent Federal Emergency Management Agency teams to Florida and Alabama to assist local emergency crews. Federal authorities were positioning generators, food and waterin addition to Rescue teams and electrical repairsthe White House said.
Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, He also declared an emergency in most counties in the state, while Georgia’s Brian Kemp also declared an emergency.
Inland states such as Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana could see heavy rain.
Storm surge warnings in Florida
Heavy rains and large Waves already hit the Cayman Islands on Tuesday. Authorities ordered schools, airports and government offices to close after powerful winds knocked out power in parts of Grand Cayman, and heavy rain and snow caused a slew of people to flee. waves up to 3 meters cause flooding. Authorities urged people to stay indoors Tuesday night and said crews would soon begin assessing the damage.
Helene is the eighth named storm of the season of Atlantic hurricanes, which began June 1. Since 2000, eight hurricanes of Category 3 or greater have made landfall in Florida, according to Philip Klotzbach, a hurricane researcher at Colorado State University.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that this year Atlantic hurricane season to be above average due to record ocean temperatures. It forecasts 17 to 25 named storms before the season ends on November 30, with four to seven hurricanes of Category 3 or greater.
AP Agency
