Monster Hurricane Helene Barrels Towards Florida
WASHINGTON — Brace yourselves, folks! The once mild-mannered category one storm known as Helene is gearing up to transform into a ferocious category four hurricane as it sets its sights on Florida. Official forecasts and warnings are painting a grim picture, labeling the impending impacts as “catastrophic”, “life-threatening”, and downright “unsurvivable”.
States of Emergency Declared
The governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia are not taking any chances. They have declared states of emergency in preparation for Helene’s wrath when it hits landfall on Thursday evening local time.
Mexico Spared, But Not Unscathed
Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula and popular tourist hotspots like Cancún and Cozumel dodged a bullet as Helene skirted their northeastern coast without making landfall. However, the region still faced torrential rains, leading to flooding in parts of Quintana Roo.
Preparations Underway
As the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) closely monitors Helene’s trajectory, residents in the potential strike zone are being urged to make swift preparations to protect life and property. The NHC warns of catastrophic winds and storm surge along the north-eastern Gulf Coast.
Georgia Shuts Down, White House Race Affected
Georgia isn’t taking any chances either, with public schools in Atlanta closing on Thursday and Friday. Even the White House race is feeling the impact, as Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance cancels events in Georgia due to the impending storm.
Flash Floods and Evacuations
The NHC cautions that Helene could trigger “catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding” across the south-eastern US. Evacuation orders have been issued in various counties, with the Big Bend region in Florida bracing for the worst.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management is urging residents to heed evacuation orders and prepare for what could be a historic event. Stay safe, stay vigilant, and brace yourselves for Hurricane Helene’s imminent arrival. — BBC
