A new storm system is approaching Florida, this time targeting the Panhandle and bringing potential storm effects all along the Gulf Coast. Tropical Storm Helene is currently near Cancun, Mexico, with sustained winds of 45 mph (72 kph), but it is expected to intensify into a hurricane and possibly reach Category 3 status by Thursday evening. This storm is forecasted to move through the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida, with a hurricane warning in place for a large portion of the state’s Gulf Coast, spanning from Anclote River to Mexico Beach.
The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico serve as fuel for hurricanes, with temperatures around 84 degrees (29 degrees Celsius), higher than usual, contributing to the storm’s strength. Lower pressure within the storm indicates increased intensity, with Helene’s pressure dropping from 995 millibars on Tuesday to potentially lower levels as it intensifies. The National Hurricane Center predicts landfall for Helene on Thursday evening along Florida’s Big Bend or Panhandle region, areas previously impacted by hurricanes.
Anticipated impacts of the storm include high winds that could cause structural damage, as well as a significant risk of flooding, a common and dangerous consequence of hurricanes. Forecasters warn of up to 15 feet (3 meters) of storm surge along parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast, with lesser amounts further south. This storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall and potential flooding to portions of Alabama and Georgia.
In response to the approaching storm, President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation, with federal resources and personnel prepositioned, including generators, food, water, and search and rescue teams. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has deployed teams to Florida and Alabama to assist local emergency response efforts. Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 61 of Florida’s 67 counties, excluding the heavily populated South Florida region, in preparation for the storm’s impact. Measures are being taken to ensure readiness and response capabilities are in place to mitigate risks and protect communities in the storm’s path.
