Hurricane Helene intensified to a Category 2 storm on Thursday morning, only hours before it's predicted to strike Florida's Big Bend region as a powerful Category 4 storm. The National Hurricane Center has issued a stark warning, describing Helene as a "life-threatening" event, with storm surges reaching 15 to 20 feet in some areas along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Though Helene is expected to make landfall on Thursday night, its effects will be felt earlier due to its immense size. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that Helene’s wind field extends up to 275 miles from the storm's center, meaning its impact will be widespread, even reaching as far inland as the Appalachian Mountains.
Here’s the latest information from Yahoo News on the approaching storm. For live updates in Spanish, click here, and for detailed forecasts, visit our hurricane tracker.
Live Updates
2 mins ago
Dylan Stableford
Over 40 Million People Under Hurricane and Tropical Storm Warnings
According to the National Hurricane Center, more than 40 million people across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama are currently under hurricane and tropical storm warnings.
The current watches and warnings (as of 8 a.m. ET) include:
- Hurricane Warning: Anclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida
- Hurricane Watch: Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
- Tropical Storm Warning: Dry Tortugas, all of the Florida Keys, and various other regions from Flamingo to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line.
- Storm Surge Watch: West of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach, Tampa Bay, and Charlotte Harbor
22 mins ago
Dylan Stableford
Helene Affects MLB Schedule
Hurricane Helene is already disrupting the sports world. MLB games between the Mets and the Braves in Atlanta, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, have been postponed due to the storm. The two teams, separated by just one game in the wild card race, will now play a doubleheader on Monday.
Helene could also disrupt NFL, college football, and MLS schedules in the coming days.
46 mins ago
Dylan Stableford
A Nightmare Surge Scenario
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee is urging those in evacuation zones to leave immediately, warning of a “catastrophic and unsurvivable” storm surge for Apalachee Bay. The surge could arrive as early as midday, well before the main winds hit. The forecast paints a dire picture, calling it a "nightmare surge scenario" for the area.
7:58 PM GMT+6
Dylan Stableford
Tropical-Storm-Force Winds Expected in Six States
The National Hurricane Center reports that tropical-storm-force winds (39-73 mph) could extend across six states: Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee, both before and after Helene makes landfall.
7:43 PM GMT+6
Dylan Stableford
DeSantis Urges Caution After Storm
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has warned residents not to begin cleanup efforts in the dark after the storm passes, stressing the dangers of debris, standing water, and other hazards at night. He advised residents to wait for daylight to assess and respond to damage safely.
7:30 PM GMT+6
Dylan Stableford
Governor Urges Last-Minute Evacuations
Governor DeSantis is advising North Florida residents in evacuation zones that they still have a short window of time to reach shelters. "You've got to do it now," DeSantis emphasized, as conditions are becoming too dangerous for safe travel.
7:16 PM GMT+6
Dylan Stableford
Storm Surge Could Reach 20 Feet
In addition to fierce Category 4 winds, Helene may bring a storm surge of up to 20 feet along parts of Florida's Gulf Coast, creating a life-threatening situation for residents.
6:59 PM GMT+6
Nicole Darrah
What Damage Can a Category 4 Hurricane Cause?
Residents are preparing for the worst, filling sandbags and securing their properties. Category 4 hurricanes are capable of causing devastating damage, and Helene is expected to bring widespread destruction across the region.
Stay tuned for more live updates.
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