Hurricane Helene accelerates toward Florida’s Big Bend threatening ‘unsurvivable’ storm surge: Live
Hurricane Helene could bring ‘unprecedented damage’ to Florida with sustained winds up to 135mph and 20ft storm surge
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Florida is bracing for “unsurvivable” storm surge from Hurricane Helene, which is expected to strengthen into a Category 4 storm before making landfall later on Thursday.
In the afternoon, Helene was accelerating toward Florida’s Big Bend, bringing tropical storm conditions across most of the state’s western coast.
Just over a month after Storm Debby hurtled into the Sunshine State, Hurricane Helene now threatens to become the strongest storm to hit the US in over a year.
Hurricane Helene, currently a Category 3 storm, has maximum sustained winds of 120mph as of Thursday afternoon. Florida officials are warning residents to brace for life-threatening rain, floods and storm surge. All parts of Florida are under a hurricane or tropical storm warning.
Its size is also massive compared to previous hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Local forecasters estimate the storm stretches 822 miles in width, and 114 in length. Hurricane warnings extend roughly 90 miles above the Georgia-Florida line.
According to The Associated Press, Helene is forecast to be one of the largest storms in breadth to hit the region in years, with only three bigger since 1988.
Hurricane Helene accelerates toward Florida’s Big Bend
Hurricane Helene is accelerating toward Florida’s Big Bend, where it is expected to make landfall later this evening.
The category 3 storm is bringing tropical storm conditions across most of the state’s western coast.
Winds at the entrance to Tampa Bay have been picking up, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Hurricane Helene is a ‘dangerous’ Category 3 storm
The National Hurricane Center said its Air Force hurricane hunters have found Helene to be a “dangerous” major hurricane on Thursday afternoon.
The system has strengthened into a Category 3 storm, with maximum sustained winds increasing to 120mph.
The National Weather Service in Miami said Hurricane Helene has made its closest passage to South Florida.
Now, it’s is lifting further north in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
“Expect a few more hours of strong wind gusts, intermittent downpours, as well as hazardous coastal and marine conditions,” the agency said.
Additional strengthening is expected before Helene makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend.
West Virginia Governor issues state of preparedness warnings for 22 counties
The move allows the state’s emergency agencies to pull together resources in the event of catastrophic damage.
West Virginia Governor issues state of preparedness for 22 counties
The move allows the state’s Emergency Management Division to posture personnel and resources for quick response to any emergency that may develop.
West Virginia Governor issues state of preparedness for 22 counties
Governor Jim Justice issued a state of preparedness on Thursday for 22 West Virginia counties.
They are: Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Summers, Wayne, Webster and Wyoming.
Water is seen splashing over Tampa’s Howard Frankland Bridge as a car whizzes across
Walt Disney World cancels experiences in response to Hurricane Helene
Florida’s Walt Disney World cancelled some experiences in response to Hurricane Helene.
Its Typhoon Lagoon water park was temporarily closed and Beachcomber Shack and Typhoon Lagoon Umbrella rentals were cancelled.
A Halloween-themed even, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, was cancelled. Guests would be refunded for that event.
Mini golf courses at Fantasia Garden and Fairways and Winter Summerland were also temporarily closed.
Photos show surfers take to the beach as Hurricane Helene bears down on Florida
Surfers took to the beach in Panama City ahead of Hurricane Helene on Thursday afternoon.
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office tells residents to write personal information on their bodies in permanent marker
Officials in the rural Taylor County, along Florida’s Big Bend region, are telling their residents to write identifying information on their bodies in permanent marker before the storm hits.
“If you or someone you know chose not to evacuate, PLEASE write your, Name, birthday and important information on your arm or leg in A PERMANENT MARKER so that you can be identified and family notified,” the office wrote on Facebook.
The sheriff’s office asked residents to email them other vital information, including the location of their home and the number of people and animals who live there.
Appalachians will see catastrophic flooding, landslides
The southern Appalachians are expected to see strong, damaging winds and rainfall of up to a foot, with some isolated amounts of 20 inches.
“This rainfall will likely result in catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding, along with significant river flooding. Numerous significant landslides are expected in steep terrain across the southern Appalachians,” the National Hurricane Center warned.
The National Weather Service’s office in South Carolina’s Greenville-Spartanburg warned of “one of the most significant weather events to happen in the western portions of the area in the modern era.”
“Record flooding is forecasted and has been compared to the floods of 1916 in the Asheville area,” it said.
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