Fast-moving Hurricane Helene is advancing across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida, threatening an "unsurvivable" storm surge in the northwestern parts of the state, along with damaging winds, rains, and flash floods extending hundreds of miles inland across the southeastern U.S.
Forecasts indicate that Helene will be a major hurricane, categorized as a Category 3 or higher, when it makes landfall on Florida's northwestern coast on Thursday evening. Hurricane warnings and flash flood warnings have been issued as far north as south-central Georgia, prompting emergency declarations from the governors of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has predicted storm surges of up to 20 feet (6 meters), particularly catastrophic in Florida's Apalachee Bay. The office urged residents to take evacuation orders seriously, labeling the potential storm surge scenario as a nightmare.
In preparation for the storm, residents in affected areas are stocking up on essentials, while schools and universities along Florida's Gulf Coast have canceled classes. Helene is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains, with the possibility of long-lasting power outages and dangerous flooding.
As Hurricane Helene continues to move north, it is anticipated to be one of the largest storms to impact the region in years. The storm is the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which has been predicted to be above average due to record-warm ocean temperatures.
In addition, Tropical Storm Isaac has formed in the Atlantic and is expected to strengthen, potentially becoming a hurricane by the end of the week. Former Hurricane John has reformed as a tropical storm and is also posing threats to Mexico's western coast.