Hurricane Helene approaches Florida, threatens southeastern states: NPR

After making landfall in Florida, Hurricane Helene is expected to bring severe storms and rainfall to much of the southeastern United States.

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As Hurricane Helene approaches Florida's northwest coast, meteorologists are warning communities hundreds of miles away to prepare for heavy rains and strong winds.

The storm is moving across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and is expected to cross Florida's coast at Big Bend on Thursday evening or early Friday morning. National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.

By 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Helene was located about 320 miles southwest of Tampa and had strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph.

However, meteorologists predict that the storm will strengthen and become a “major hurricane” by the time it reaches the Florida coast. Maximum winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) are expected upon landfall – a Category 3 storm.

“As a result, storm surge, wind and rain impacts will extend well beyond the center and outside the forecast cone, particularly on the eastern side,” the NHC warns.

Helene's hurricane-force winds extend up to 60 miles (96 kilometers) from its center, and tropical storm-force winds reach up to 340 miles (555 kilometers), making the storm an unusually large storm.

The storm is also expected to move inland at high speed, bringing strong winds and rain to the southeastern United States up to the Appalachian Mountains – raising the risk of flash floods, landslides, falling trees and power outages.

This worries federal meteorologists, who issued a rare press release He pointed out that flooding from extreme rainfall was the leading direct cause of death from tropical cyclones in the United States over the past decade.

They are urging residents in the storm's path to follow evacuation orders, make a plan to protect their families and property, and avoid roads if flooding is forecast.

The latest local updates on Helene

NPR network member stations are reporting on the local impacts of Hurricane Helene in the southeastern United States.

The latest updates from around the world Florida:
➡️ Gainesville (via WUFT)
➡️ Jacksonville (via WJCT)
➡️ Fort Myers about (WGCU)
➡️ Orlando (via Central Florida Public Media)
➡️ Tampa (via WUSF)
➡️ Tallahassee (via WFSU)

The latest updates from across the Southeast:
➡️ Georgia (via GPB)
➡️ South Carolina (via South Carolina Public Radio)

➡️ Find your local station

A storm surge of up to 6 meters could occur on Florida's coast

Meteorologists warn that a “catastrophic and deadly” storm surge is likely along parts of Florida's Big Bend coast, where flooding could reach up to 20 feet (6 meters) high.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Tallahassee warns of a “not viable“A storm surge in Apalachee Bay could wash away buildings, flood escape routes, damage docks and marinas, and run small boats aground.

There is also a risk of “life-threatening” storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida peninsula. Heights of over 6 feet are expected from Indian Pass in the Panhandle to south of Tampa.

“If you live in an area where evacuation orders apply due to Helene, please adhere to them,” said the NWS says“This is very, very serious.”

Dozens of Florida counties are under mandatory or voluntary evacuation ordersSeveral districts, including Pinellas And Citrus fruitshave ordered evacuations of nursing and assisted living facilities.

Many public school districts and Universitiesas well as several airportsare closed at least for the day.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a Declaration of emergency to cover almost the entire state, namely 61 out of 67 districts.

Helene is “a storm stronger than anything we have ever experienced in this region, I believe,” he said. warned at a press conference on Wednesday.

The Florida Emergency Management Agency urged residents to evacuate if they live in areas exposed to possible storm surge or surrounded by large trees that could fall on their homes.

They remind people to remove loose objects from outdoor areas, move electric vehicles to higher ground and Never operate a generator indoors.They also urged Florida residents to expect extended power outages that Florida Energy and Light Company says it is pre-positioned and can be addressed when it is safe to do so.

Once the storm leaves Florida, it will continue its destructive path through Georgia, the Carolinas and the Appalachians.

“We’re just the opening act,” DeSantis said.

States in the north up to Virginia prepare for strong winds and rain

A satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Helene in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday evening.

AP/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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After making landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwest and slow its progress over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.

“Helene's high forward speed will cause strong, destructive winds, particularly in gusts, to extend well into the interior of the southeastern United States, including the higher elevations of the southern Appalachians,” the NHC statement said.

Rainfall totals of up to 18 inches are forecast for the Appalachian region, with significant flood risks in urban areas around Tallahassee, metropolitan Atlanta, and western North Carolina, including Asheville.

Meteorologists also warn of “catastrophic and life-threatening” flash flooding and urban flooding, including “numerous significant landslides” in the southern Appalachians through Friday, with river flooding also likely.

The governors of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia have declared states of emergency in light of the approaching storm.

Hurricane levels are expected in areas 100 miles north of the Florida-Georgia border, according to Related PressClasses have been canceled in more than half of Georgia's public school districts and at several universities.

In the Greater Atlanta — which is under a Tropical Storm Warning — Major events were cancelled or postponed, including Campaign events of Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance and the last two games of an exciting series between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves.

The National Weather Service in Atlanta warns that Through Friday, damaging wind gusts – and a high risk of downed trees and power lines – are likely, as is a increased tornado risk.

“Please use multiple ways to receive alerts and make sure your phone is not on silent overnight!” the team tweeted.

Here you will find more tips on safety before, during and after a hurricane from the National Weather ServiceThe American Red Cross And NPR.