Hurricane Poised To Strike The US Has Been Labeled ‘Unsurvivable’ As Experts Caution About Its Devastating Effects
Hurricane Helene is expected to impact parts of the U.S. in the upcoming days. As September rolls in, Florida braces for the potential destruction brought by hurricanes.
Forecasts suggest that Hurricane Helene could make landfall as a category four storm on Thursday, September 26. The National Hurricane Center warns that storm surges could reach up to 20 feet in some areas, particularly along the coastlines that have historically faced severe weather events, like Miami.
The center cautioned: “A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is anticipated along sections of the Florida Big Bend coast, where flooding could exceed 20 feet above ground level, coupled with destructive waves.”
Residents are urged to finalize preparations for safety and property protection by early Thursday, ahead of the approaching tropical storm conditions.
As of 5 AM local time on Thursday, winds associated with Helene were recorded at around 90 mph, with expectations that they could escalate to at least 130 mph by later that afternoon.
While tropical storms are a regular occurrence in Florida, Helene is projected to inflict significant damage. Hurricane expert Michael Lowry noted on Twitter that Helene could become one of the largest storms to affect the Gulf of Mexico in the last century. He pointed out that only four named storms this century have matched the projected size of Helene in the Gulf: Irma (2017), Ike (2008), Ivan (2004), and Isidore (2002).
Due to the hurricane’s threat, thousands of Floridians have had to evacuate their homes. The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued urgent warnings for residents near Apalachee Bay, describing the storm surge threat as “catastrophic and potentially unsurvivable.”
Damage reports have already emerged from further south, where vehicles were submerged in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, and in Cuba’s Pinar del Río province, over 50,000 residents are currently without power.