The storm is expected to strengthen significantly, posing a severe threat with potentially catastrophic damage across Florida. Stay tuned for more updates and ensure you are prepared for any emergency measures. Hurricane Helene live updates: Storm set to intensify and cause ‘catastrophic’ damage across Florida
What we know about Hurricane Helene
Helene is currently a category 2 hurricane with wind speeds of 100 mph. It is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Big Bend this evening as at least a category 3 hurricane, bringing the risk of devastating damage.
The storm was 320 miles southwest of Tampa as of 8 a.m. ET, traveling northeast at 12 mph. A storm surge warning is in place for almost the entirety of Florida’s west coast, where surging waters described as “unsurvivable” could reach as high as 20 feet in places.
Hurricane and tropical storm warnings are in place across coastal areas of southern Florida. The National Hurricane Center said: “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.”
A state of emergency has been declared in 61 of Florida’s 67 counties and several are under evacuation orders. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told a news conference in Tallahassee last night: “The eye of the storm is coming in this region.”
DeSantis: ‘Nobody in recent memory has seen a storm of this magnitude’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a storm briefing this morning that northern Florida “has not had a major hurricane hit in quite some time, and certainly nobody in recent memory has seen a storm of this magnitude.”
The governor said Helene’s effects are already being felt in the southern part of the state. Overnight, there were 14 different tornado warnings with more likely today.
Florida has 3,500 soldiers ready to respond to the storm, 200 Florida Highway Patrol troopers ready to deploy, and the Florida Department of Transportation has 550 generators and 40 large pumps ready to remove water from low-lying areas.
Thus far 80 healthcare facilities hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes have reported various levels of evacuations, DeSantis said. Shelters are open and all counties are required to have at least one pet friendly shelter.