Helene, which became a hurricane on Wednesday, hit the territory of Mexico and Cuba. The element brought heavy rain and winds. Residents of Florida and several other US states are preparing for the coming cataclysm. Helene could become one of the largest such phenomena in the Gulf of Mexico in the last century.
Tropical Storm Helene strengthened and became a Category 1 hurricane on the five-point ascending Saffir-Simpson scale on Wednesday. The latest forecast is for Helene to reach Florida on Thursday, by which time it will become a Category 4 hurricane. The storm will bring winds exceeding 200 km/h. Storm surges of up to 6 meters could occur in parts of the coast. The coming hurricane could be the deadliest to hit the United States this year.
Helene has already shown her strength
On Wednesday, the element was over the Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba. In the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, heavy rains turned streets into torrents, and storm surges flooded coastal areas. Due to the terrible weather conditions, more than 50,000 residents of the Pinar del Rio province in western Cuba were left without electricity.
Life-threatening conditions
As Helene gains strength, it will become a major storm that will impact not only Florida but much of the Southeast. As CNN noted, “time is running out to prepare.” Thousands of Floridians have already been forced to evacuate, and nearly the entire state is under alerts.
In Georgia, power outages could be “significant” and “like we’ve never seen before,” James Stallings, Georgia’s director of emergency management and homeland security, said Wednesday. Local officials warned residents of winds that could knock down trees.
In total, five states: Florida, Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina have declared a state of emergency. More than 800 domestic flights have also been suspended, mostly from Tampa Airport.
Helene is expected to be one of the largest hurricanes to hit the Gulf Coast in a century, according to hurricane expert Michael Lowry, which could pose a risk of larger storm surge and more widespread impacts, even if the center of the storm is located far from the coast.
Helene in satellite imagesNOAA
Hurricane Helene's Forecast PathNHC/NOAA
First effects of Helene in Mexico (25/09/2024)PAP/EPA/Alonso Cupul
Helene will become the fourth hurricane to make landfall in the United States this year and the fifth in Florida since 2022. Previous hurricanes to hit the United States include Beryl, Debby, Ernesto and Francine.
PAP, CNN, Reuters, NOAA, The Weather Channel, tvnmeteo.pl
Main image source: PAP/EPA/Alonso Cupul