Storms brewing in the Caribbean are expected to transform into Hurricane Helene and rapidly intensify over the exceptionally warm Gulf of Mexico before hitting the Gulf Coast of the United States later this week as a major hurricane.
“The system is forecast to become a hurricane on Wednesday (25) and continue strengthening on Thursday (26) as it moves through the eastern Gulf of Mexico,” the hurricane center’s alert said on Tuesday night.
The system has a 90% chance of becoming a hurricane in the next 48 hours, according to the center.
Florida has not wasted any time in starting preparations for the hurricane. Governor Ron DeSantis has already declared a state of emergency for 41 of the state’s 67 counties. This measure helps expedite preparations and coordination between state and local governments.
Although the exact path and strength may change, Helene is expected to move north over the extremely warm waters toward the Gulf of Mexico.
Regardless of its exact path, heavy rains are possible for much of the Southeast starting mid-week. A level 2 out of 4 flood risk is in effect for much of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and parts of the Carolinas on Thursday, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
Another impactful storm for Florida
Helene is expected to become the fourth hurricane to hit the U.S. this year. The other three rapidly intensified before hitting the U.S. as hurricanes: Beryl, Debby, and Francine.
The last time four or more hurricanes hit the U.S. in a season was during the devastating 2020 season.
Despite the wave of impactful storms, if Helene manages to make landfall as a category 3, it would be the first major hurricane to hit the U.S. since Idalia struck Florida last August.
Helene would continue a brutal streak for the Sunshine State. Helene is expected to be the fifth hurricane to hit Florida since 2022. The repeated blows have pushed the insurance market in the state to its limits, with many insurers leaving the state due to the increasing risk of extreme weather from climate change.
Source: CNN