Hurricane Helene made landfall along the Florida coast Thursday night as a powerful Category 4 storm, causing widespread devastation with maximum sustained winds of 225 km/h (140 mph) and dangerous storm surges. Helene, located just 70 km east-southeast of Tallahassee, Florida, is one of the most formidable storms to hit the region in years, with surges expected to reach up to 20 feet in some areas.
Evacuation Warnings and States of Emergency
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents in northern Florida to evacuate, warning of life-threatening flooding, road closures, and power outages. States of emergency have also been declared in Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, and Alabama as the storm threatens to wreak havoc across the southeastern U.S.
Wakulla County Sheriff Jared Miller emphasized that “this is not a survivable event for those in coastal or low-lying areas,” urging residents to heed evacuation orders before it’s too late.
Unprecedented Impact Expected
Tallahassee, Florida’s capital, is directly in Helene’s path. Mayor John Dailey warned that the storm could cause “unprecedented damage like nothing we have ever experienced before.” As Helene moves inland, its effects are expected to reach as far north as North Carolina, where emergency officials are bracing for catastrophic flooding, with some areas projected to receive up to 14 inches of rain.
Global Warming’s Role in Powerful Hurricanes
Climate scientists warn that rising ocean temperatures due to global warming are leading to more frequent and stronger hurricanes like Helene. The Gulf of Mexico’s unusually warm waters helped fuel the storm’s rapid intensification as it approached Florida.
Widespread Devastation in its Wake
Helene has already left parts of Florida submerged, with storm surges as high as 5 feet in cities like Tampa and St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, in western Cuba, 230,000 people were left without power as the hurricane brushed past the island, and thousands were evacuated from flood-prone areas. The storm also caused flooding and damage across Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, including in the resort city of Cancún.
As Helene continues its destructive path, millions remain under hurricane warnings, with emergency officials urging all in affected areas to prioritize safety.
