Hurricane Helene has rapidly strengthened in the Caribbean Sea and is moving towards the United States, prompting officials to declare an emergency in Florida. The storm is expected to intensify as it moves over warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, with heavy rainfall and a life-threatening storm surge forecasted for the southeastern US. Helene’s maximum sustained winds are currently at 130km/h (80mph), with the potential to become a major hurricane – a Category 3 or higher – by Thursday as it reaches Apalachee Bay on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The strong winds from Hurricane Helene have already knocked out power in the Cayman Islands, and areas of Mexico and Cuba are bracing for the storm’s impact. Mexico is still recovering from former Hurricane John, which caused damage along the Pacific coast. Helene is expected to bring storm surges of up to 4.5 metres (15 feet) along the coast of Florida, leading to concerns about major tree damage and the potential for widespread impacts across the state. Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an emergency for most Florida counties, with federal authorities mobilizing resources to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.
Helene’s size and speed are expected to bring storm surges, wind, and rain over a large area extending several hundred kilometres from the storm’s center. This could result in impacts in states as far inland as Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana. Residents along the Gulf Coast are evacuating to safer areas due to memories of previous storm surge events, including Hurricane Michael in 2018 and Hurricane Idalia in 2023, both of which caused significant damage and loss of life in Florida. Helene is the eighth named storm of the current Atlantic hurricane season and the fourth to make landfall in the US.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be above average, with warmer ocean temperatures contributing to the formation of storms. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasted 17 to 25 named storms, with four to seven major hurricanes. Despite the slow start to the season, forecasters are monitoring factors that may have impeded the formation of major storms along the hurricane corridor. This year’s hurricane season coincides with an insurance crisis for homeowners in some US states, with rising fees and reluctance from insurers to provide coverage in coastal areas. The impacts of Hurricane Helene are being closely monitored as it approaches the US coastline.
