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Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Florida is bracing for “unsurvivable” storm surge from Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm.
In the afternoon, Helene was accelerating toward Florida’s Big Bend, bringing tropical storm conditions across most of the state’s western coast. Florida, Alabama, and parts of the Carolinas are at risk of flooding.
Just over a month after Storm Debby hurtled into the Sunshine State, Hurricane Helene now threatens to become the strongest storm to hit the US in over a year.
Hurricane Helene has maximum sustained winds of 130mph as of Thursday afternoon. Florida officials are warning residents to brace for life-threatening rain and storm surge. All parts of Florida are under a hurricane or tropical storm warning.
Its size is also massive compared to previous hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Local forecasters estimate the storm stretches 822 miles in width, and 114 in length. Hurricane warnings extend roughly 90 miles above the Georgia-Florida line.
According to The Associated Press, Helene is forecast to be one of the largest storms in breadth to hit the region in years, with only three bigger since 1988.
Over 6,000 people have died in hurricanes since 1980
Hurricanes are the deadliest natural disasters, according to ABC News. In 2017, 2900 people died in Hurricanes Maria after it reached Dominica and Puerto Rico.
Michelle Del Rey27 September 2024 02:42
US Coast Guard rescued man, dog from sailboat during storm
US Coast Guard officials saved a man and his dog from drowning as Hurricane Helene made its way to Florida shores.
His 36ft sailboat became disabled and started taking on water 25 miles off of Sanibel Island in Lee County. The man and his dog are ok, a Coast Guard official wrote on X.
Michelle Del Rey27 September 2024 02:34
Helene strengths as it moves toward land
The National Hurricane Center has said Helene has become slightly stronger as its eye approaches the Florida coast’s Big Bend area.
Coastal waters are rising along the west coast of Florida as storm conditions spread northward, the agency at 9pm.
Michelle Del Rey27 September 2024 02:19
Over 1,000 people sheltering in place in Florida county
In Leon County, Florida, 1,652 individuals and 234 pets are sheltering in place at county facilities.
Michelle Del Rey27 September 2024 02:02
More than 600,000 people without power in Florida
That is according to poweroutage.us, an entity that tracks power outages across the country.
Michelle Del Rey27 September 2024 01:37
Water is seen splashing over Tampa’s Howard Frankland Bridge as a car whizzes across
Michelle Del Rey27 September 2024 01:15
More than 40 million under hurricane, tropical storm warnings
37,464,260 people are under tropical storm warnings and 2,852,691 people are under hurricane warnings, according to the National Weather Service.
Michelle Del Rey27 September 2024 00:43
Walt Disney World cancels experiences in response to Hurricane Helene
Its Typhoon Lagoon water park was temporarily closed and Beachcomber Shack and Typhoon Lagoon Umbrella rentals were cancelled.
A Halloween-themed even, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, was cancelled. Guests would be refunded for that event.
Mini golf courses at Fantasia Garden and Fairways and Winter Summerland were also temporarily closed.
Michelle Del Rey27 September 2024 00:40
Photos show surfers take to the beach as Hurricane Helene bears down on Florida
Surfers took to the beach in Panama City ahead of Hurricane Helene on Thursday afternoon.
Michelle Del Rey27 September 2024 00:20
