SAN LUIS POTOSÍ, Mexico.- Helene has become a “very dangerous” Category 3 hurricane this Thursday, according to reported the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC). Tropical storm-force winds began hitting Florida before the hurricane made landfall.
Flash flood watches extend beyond the coast to northern Georgia and western North Carolina.
Winds of up to 125 mph (205 km/h) have already left about 180,000 Florida homes and businesses without power.
“Helene It is a very dangerous and large major hurricane. Damaging hurricane winds and catastrophic storm surge are expected to begin in Florida’s Big Bend tonight,” the NHC reported.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said models suggest Helene will make landfall in the Big Bend.
At 5:00 pm, the eye of the hurricane was located near latitude 27.9 North, longitude 84.6 West.
Helene is currently moving north-northeast near 23 mph (37 km/h). After landfall, it is expected to turn northwest and slow over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 125 mph (205 km/h) with stronger gusts. It is expected to be an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane upon landfall.
Weakening is expected later, but its rapid forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to reach the southeastern United States, including the southern Appalachians.
This Thursday morning, according to the Reuters agency reportJamie Rhome, deputy director of the NHC, warned about the severity of the impact: “For those in the path, that unfortunately means catastrophic winds.”
Helene entered the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and has gained strength due to the region’s warm waters, with forecasts for it to enter US territory this Thursday night in the Big Bend area of Florida.
In addition to the powerful winds, a storm surge with heights of up to six meters is expected in the Big Bend area, which could worsen flooding.
Rhome noted that the greatest risk to human life during a hurricane generally comes from flash flooding, which often sweeps away people in their vehicles as they try to cross flooded roads.
