Hurricane Helene, a powerful category 4 storm, made landfall along the Florida coast on Thursday night, threatening high winds, storm surges, and heavy rainfall. With maximum sustained winds of 225 kph, the storm formed rapidly and strengthened as it crossed the warm waters of the Gulf. States of emergency have been declared in several states and Florida’s governor urged residents to evacuate before it was too late.
Experts warned of potentially devastating storm surges as high as 20ft in some areas, leading to evacuation orders in coastal and low-lying regions. The storm is expected to weaken once it lands but could still spread rapidly. Climate scientists attribute the increase in powerful hurricanes to global warming, as warmer oceans fuel storm growth.
Hurricane Helene is predicted to be one of the largest storms to hit the region in years, with millions under hurricane and tropical storm warnings. As it travels up the southeastern coast, heavy rain and flooding are expected. Helene already caused power outages in Cuba and flooded areas in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
With the Atlantic hurricane season in full swing, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration anticipates an above-average number of storms, fueled by record-warm ocean temperatures. As residents brace themselves for the impact of Hurricane Helene, emergency officials are urging proactive measures to ensure safety in the face of the powerful storm.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
