Helene: Landfall time, warnings, likely impact, and how US is preparing for this ‘likely to be hurricane’

Tropical Storm Helene has been rapidly intensifying in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday as it moves north along Mexico’s coast toward the U.S. This has led to evacuations, school closures, and emergency declarations in Florida and Georgia. The U.S. National Hurricane Center forecasts the storm will be “near hurricane strength” as it passes by Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula early Wednesday, and it is predicted to “intensify and grow in size” while heading north across the Gulf of Mexico.

Storm Helene: When it will make landfall

According to the National Hurricane Center, Helene is projected to make landfall on Thursday evening in the Big Bend or Panhandle area of Florida. This region, not the most densely populated part of the state, was previously hit by Hurricane Debby, a Category 1 storm, in August, and Hurricane Idalia last September. Depending on the storm’s trajectory, parts of Alabama and Georgia could experience tropical storm-force winds or even higher, along with heavy rainfall.

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Warning and likely impact of Tropical Storm Helene

Helene is anticipated to strengthen into a major hurricane — Category 3 or higher — on Thursday, the day it is forecast to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane warnings for parts of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Florida’s northwestern coastline, where storm surges of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) are predicted. Starting Wednesday, heavy rainfall is expected across the southeastern U.S., with a “life-threatening storm surge” likely along the entire west coast of Florida.

In addition to high winds that can damage homes, the most significant danger posed by hurricanes is often flooding, both from storm drains and from the sea. Flooding is historically more deadly than wind during such storms. Forecasters estimate that parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast could see storm surges as high as 15 feet (4.5 meters), with reduced levels further down the coast.

US govt preparation for Helene

President Joe Biden has been briefed on Tropical Storm Helene, and the White House confirmed that federal agencies are coordinating with officials in states expected to be affected.“Federal resources and personnel, including generators, food, water, and search-and-rescue teams, are prepositioned,” stated White House spokesperson Jeremy Edwards. “Power restoration teams are also ready to respond as needed. FEMA has deployed teams to Florida and Alabama to assist local emergency response efforts.”Read More: ‘Garbage Time’ & ‘lying flat’ are trending in China, youth are just giving up on their future.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Monday for 61 of the state’s 67 counties, excluding the heavily populated South Florida region.