The United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that fast-moving Hurricane Helene made landfall late Thursday, hitting northwest Florida. It is a strong Category 4 storm that is expected to bring strong winds and flash flooding to parts of the low-lying state.
Reported by VoA, Friday (27.9), the NHC said Helene arrived on land around Thursday (26/9) at 11:10 pm local time in the “Big Bend” area on the west coast of Florida with a maximum wind speed of 225 km per hour.
The hurricane center called Helene an extremely dangerous and life-threatening hurricane and urged people to stay sheltered as it passes.
Florida’s Big Bend is located in the arc of the Florida peninsula around the Gulf of Mexico and Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie and Levy counties, and is home to some of Florida’s most important wildlife tourism destinations, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Weather forecasts suggest the impact of storm surge, wind and rain will extend far from the storm’s center, especially to the east. A hurricane warning was in effect for southern Georgia and much of northern Florida, and a tropical storm warning extended into the Carolinas.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for nearly all 67 counties in Florida, including Miami-Dade. He has mobilized the National Guard and deployed thousands of personnel to prepare for possible search and rescue operations and power restoration.
Also read: 9 facts about the Thwaites Glacier, the largest in Antarctica, the size of the state of Florida
In a statement, the White House said US President Joe Biden had been briefed on the storm on Wednesday, and his administration was ready to provide further assistance to Florida and other states through which Helene passed.
Helene is the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted this year’s Atlantic hurricane season will be hotter than average due to record warm ocean temperatures.
The ninth named storm of the season, Tropical Storm Isaac, formed Wednesday evening in the Atlantic Ocean. The hurricane center reports the storm is expected to strengthen as it moves eastward, and may become a hurricane by the end of the week. (I-2)
#Hurricane #Helene #Hits
