Devastating Hurricane Helene Unleashes ‘Unsurvivable’ Storm Surge and Catastrophic Inland Damage
Hurricane Helene Threatens "Unsurvivable" Surge in Florida
A fast-moving Hurricane Helene, now a Category 2 storm, raced across the Gulf of Mexico on September 26, 2024, toward Florida, posing severe threats including an "unsurvivable" storm surge in the northwest. Upgraded to a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) by morning, it’s expected to make landfall near Florida’s Big Bend by evening.
Early Thursday, hurricane and flash flood warnings stretched into Georgia, with the governors of Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia declaring emergencies. Coastal U.S. Highway 98 was desolate by dawn, with drivers heading to higher ground as preparations intensified.
Forecasters highlighted the enormity of Helene’s impact, predicting up to 20 feet storm surges in Apalachee Bay, catastrophic high winds, and heavy rains. The sparsely populated "Forgotten Coast," known for its natural beauty, braced for devastation. Residents, such as Christine Nazworth in Crawfordville, stocked essentials and prepared to shelter in place despite evacuation orders.
Schools and universities along Florida’s Gulf Coast canceled classes. Helene, with winds reaching 100 mph (155 kph) and moving at 12 mph (19 kph), could result in large-scale power outages, toppled trees, and extensive flooding in the southeastern U.S. Its rapid inland movement is expected to cause damaging gusts even in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Previously, Helene swamped Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and caused power outages in Cuba. Its vast size ranked it among the largest storms since 1988, potentially affecting regions as far as Tennessee and Indiana.
In other storm news, Tropical Storm Isaac formed in the Atlantic and is expected to strengthen. Meanwhile, former Hurricane John re-emerged in the Pacific, threatening Mexico’s western coast with flash flooding and mudslides. Both storms underscore the particularly active Atlantic hurricane season, fueled by record-warm ocean temperatures.
Source: NOAA
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/25/helene-becomes-a-hurricane-and-is-expected-to-intensify-as-it-moves-toward-florida-.html
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