Hurricane Helene is intensifying as it heads towards Florida, with landfall expected on Thursday night.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Helene, which developed into a tropical storm on Tuesday, is predicted to unleash “catastrophic and deadly storm surge,” “hurricane-force winds,” and “significant flash and urban flooding.”
Storm chaser Colin McCarthy emphasized the urgency of storm preparations, urging residents to finalize their plans today on X (formerly Twitter).
Here’s the latest on this emerging situation.
Hurricane Helene is now forecast to slam into western Florida tomorrow as a catastrophic Category 4 storm with 130 mph winds and gusts up to 160 mph.
This is going to be a devastating storm for many people and storm preparations need to be rushed to completion today. pic.twitter.com/P4eNO5nYMQ— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) September 25, 2024
Estimated Time of Landfall for Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene is set to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region at 7:00 p.m. CDT on Thursday, categorized as a “major hurricane” by the NWS, with winds exceeding 110 mph according to their latest advisory issued on Wednesday night.
Winds of 74 mph to 110 mph define a standard hurricane, making Helene’s classification more severe.
Impacts are likely to extend beyond Florida, affecting parts of Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky throughout the weekend.
A tropical storm is expected to reach Georgia at 7:00 a.m. CDT on Friday, while a tropical depression will hit Tennessee and Kentucky at around 7:00 p.m. CDT.
These timings mark the storm’s center; however, hazardous conditions may occur in areas beyond the direct path of the storm.
The Path of Hurricane Helene
As of Thursday at 1:00 a.m. CDT, the hurricane was documented in the Gulf of Mexico, moving north toward Florida, with tropical storm conditions already affecting nearby areas.
The storm’s trajectory indicates it will pass through specific regions in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, while tropical storm conditions could extend to other parts, including Florida’s East Coast and the entirety of Georgia’s and South Carolina’s coastlines.
Meteorologist Noah Bergren from Fox35Orlando mentioned that Helene’s forecast path and its expected impact is an unusual weather phenomenon known as the “Fujiwara Effect,” where the hurricane’s path interacts with a low-pressure system in western Tennessee, creating a dual orbital-like behavior.
HELENE will be a MAJOR impact well inland. Georgia, the western Carolinas, Tennessee, and Kentucky! This is an unusual meteorological setup for this region. This “Fujiwara Effect” will accelerate the storm movement and produce destructive wind gusts across central Georgia, Atlanta, and east Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/qMMKDnWG50
— Noah Bergren (@NbergWX) September 26, 2024
Evacuation Orders for Hurricane Helene
The NWS advises that all necessary preparations to safeguard life and property should be wrapped up by early Thursday due to the severe conditions expected.
Mandatory evacuations are in place for several counties in Florida’s Big Bend region, including:
- Charlotte County
- Citrus County
- Dixie County
- Franklin County
- Gulf County
- Hillsborough County
- Jefferson County
- Lafayette County
- Leon County
- Levy County
- Madison County
- Manatee County
- Pasco County
- Pinellas County
- Sarasota County
- Taylor County
- Wakulla County
For the latest updates, refer to FloridaDisaster.org, and check with local authorities for real-time information. Other counties have also issued voluntary evacuation notices.