Hurricane Helene Impact Tracker: Live Updates from Tallahassee

Gaining strength, Hurricane Helene is approaching the Big Bend and Tallahassee as a storm of violence never before seen in the area.

When it makes landfall, Helene is expected to become a powerful Category 4 hurricane with winds of up to 212 km/h, which could push water up to six meters high far inland into coastal communities.

As Helene approaches land on Thursday evening or early Friday morning, nearby residents are preparing, hoping and praying.

Here is the latest information from the direction of the storm:

USA TODAY NETWORK WeatherTiger meteorologist Ryan Truchelut analyzed the impacts of Hurricane Helene in a video forecast late Wednesday night.

He warned that Tallahassee could be hit by winds of 115 mph. He also noted that a record storm surge of 15 to 20 feet will occur at high tide, further increasing the life-threatening risk potential for coastal residents facing hurricane and storm surge warnings.

“This is not a survivable situation,” he said. “You just have to get out.”

Helene forecast for Florida: Timeline and impacts of the hurricane on Thursday

As it approaches Florida's Big Bend, Helene is expected to become a destructive Category 4 hurricane with a storm surge of up to 20 feet.

WeatherTiger

When the night is over, Truchelut said, “(Helene) will unfortunately face one of the most severe hurricanes in Florida history.”

Residents wake up Thursday morning facing the final decision of whether to stay or go. Meteorologists warn that ignoring evacuation orders could be a fatal decision, especially for those living on the coast, where an “unsurvivable” storm surge of 15 to 20 feet could arrive.

Here is a list of Florida counties that have issued evacuation orders, updated Wednesday evening:

Counties that have ordered an emergency evacuation for all their residents include Franklin, Taylor, Freedom And Wakulla Counties in the Big Bend region. These counties are home to more than 72,000 people. Counties that have ordered voluntary evacuations for their residents include: Baker, Gadsden, Hamilton, Madison, Suwannee and Union Counties.
Charlotte Countynorth of Fort Myers, has ordered mandatory evacuations for barrier islands, low-lying and flood-prone areas, and for people living in manufactured homes or homes that do not meet 1995 building codes.
Citrus County, north of Tampa, has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all residents in Evacuation Zone A and for all buildings throughout the county that cannot withstand high winds. Mandatory evacuations had already been ordered for licensed nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Zone A.
Dixie County in the Big Bend region has ordered a mandatory evacuation for the coastal communities of Suwanee, Horseshoe Beach, Jena and surrounding areas. Authorities have also ordered a mandatory evacuation for county RVers, residents of mobile homes and manufactured homes, and residents of low-lying areas.
Golf area in the Panhandle has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all nonresidents and mobile homes in Indian Pass, Cape San Blas and Simmons Bayou. Late Thursday, the county also ordered a mandatory evacuation for the town of Port St. Joe, including everyone from St. Joseph Bay to North Garrison Avenue and everyone from the Bay to Garrison Avenue.

Hernando Countynorth of Tampa, has ordered mandatory evacuations for all areas west of US-19, including evacuation zones A, B, and C. They have also ordered mandatory evacuations for all residents living in low-lying areas or in manufactured homes.
Jefferson Countyeast of Tallahassee has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all residents of mobile homes, manufactured homes, trailers, flood-prone areas and homes that do not meet hurricane standards.
Lafayette County in the Big Bend region has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all residents of mobile homes – including trailers -, structurally compromised homes and low-lying areas. These mandatory evacuation orders will take effect at 8 a.m. Thursday.
Leon CountySeat of the state capital, has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all residents of manufactured homes or mobile homes.
Levy Countysouthwest of Gainesville, has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all residents of coastal communities, low-lying areas or in mobile and manufactured homes. Authorities also ordered the evacuation of county mobile homes.
Hillsborough and Manatee Countieswhich includes Tampa and areas south of the city, have ordered a mandatory evacuation for all mobile homes and manufactured homes in Evacuation Zone A.
Pasco County, north of Tampa, has ordered a mandatory evacuation for anyone living in manufactured homes, mobile homes or RVs, as well as anyone in low-lying areas. The county has also ordered mandatory evacuations for any location where local authorities order evacuations because of the potential for life-threatening situations.
Pinellas County, on the Tampa coast, has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all residents of Zone A and mobile homes. Previously, the county had only ordered evacuations for hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Sarasota Countylocated on the coast south of Tampa, has ordered a mandatory Level A evacuation for trailer parks after declaring a local emergency on Wednesday.

– Kairi Lowery, A new look at Florida

In the National Hurricane Center's 5 a.m. morning briefing on the storm, the words “catastrophic” and “life-threatening” are used three times each as they discuss the various dangers Helene is expected to pose as it approaches the coast, impacts with it and moves inland.

But what does “catastrophic” mean? The National Weather Service provides a detailed and sobering snapshot of the impending disaster in its local hurricane advisory.

“There may be damage to critical infrastructure, catastrophic damage to trees and power lines, widespread inaccessibility due to blocked roads, and damage to well-built buildings, particularly near and east of the track. Power outages are likely to last for days, if not weeks.”
“Potential impacts from the wind in this area include: Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall collapse. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage exacerbated by large air-launched projectiles. Places may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Numerous large trees will be snapped or uprooted, fences and street signs will be blown over. Many roads will be impassable due to large debris, even more so in urban or heavily forested areas. Many bridges, dams and access roads will be impassable. Widespread power and communications outages.”

“There is a risk of catastrophic and unsurvivable storm surge for Apalachee Bay. This forecast, if it comes true, is a nightmarish storm scenario for Apalachee Bay. Please, please, please take all evacuation orders seriously!”
“Widespread flooding with storm surges exacerbated by strong waves. Structural damage to buildings, many washed away. Damage exacerbated by significant floating debris. Places may be uninhabitable for extended periods. Emergency routes and secondary roads near the coast will be washed away or severely flooded. Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline incision possible. Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks and piers. Numerous small boats have broken loose from their moorings, many have been lifted ashore and stranded.”
“Flooding from extreme rainfall can result in numerous evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries can burst their banks with deep water in many locations. Small streams, creeks and ditches can become raging torrents. Flood control systems and barriers can be overwhelmed. Floodwaters can enter numerous buildings in several communities, some buildings will become uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous locations where floodwaters can obscure escape routes. Roads and parking lots will become rivers of raging water and underpasses will be inundated. Driving conditions will become very hazardous. Numerous roads and bridges will be closed, some will be weakened or washed away.”

Hurricane Helene Impact Tracker: Live Updates from Tallahassee

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