Hurricane Helene Intensifies, Florida Braces for Major Impact
The storm is expected to make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on Thursday, bringing life-threatening storm surges and severe weather across the Southeast.
- Hurricane Helene, currently with winds of 70 mph, is rapidly strengthening in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to reach Category 3 strength by the time it hits Florida's Gulf Coast on Thursday.
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 61 counties, and mandatory evacuation orders are in place for parts of the Gulf Coast, including the Big Bend area.
- The National Hurricane Center warns of storm surges up to 15 feet in the Big Bend area, with significant surges also expected in Tampa Bay and other coastal regions.
- The storm's impact will extend far inland, with severe winds and heavy rainfall predicted to affect areas as far north as Georgia and the southern Appalachians, potentially causing flash flooding and power outages.
- Airlines and cruise lines have issued travel waivers and altered itineraries due to the storm, affecting travel plans to and from Mexico and the southeastern United States.
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