Hurricane Helen is making landfall on the coast, creating a wild scene in Florida.
One video showed high waves rolling over a highway in Florida. “Due to high winds and storm surge, both the Skyway Bridge and Howard Frankland Bridge are closed,” the Florida Highway Patrol's Tampa office's X account posted along with the video. “Motorists should stay off the highway.”
The Skyway Bridge and Howard Frankland Bridge are both closed due to high winds and storm surge. Motorists should stay off the highway. #Helen pic.twitter.com/OAM2aMUPEP
— FHP Tampa (@FHPTampa) September 26, 2024
AccuWeather tweeted two videos showing how the approaching storm will affect Florida residents. In one, a boat is seen speeding over a flooded road, followed by a clip of a flooded area. In another photo, wind and rain are seen pounding Gulfport, Florida. It looks like the ship is on its side.
The approach of Hurricane Helen, which is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane, is causing floodwaters to rise in Tampa Bay and Anna Maria Island, sending people on boats out onto the streets. pic.twitter.com/7tOWjlAzBv
— Accuweather (@accuweather) September 26, 2024
Intense winds and rain batter Gulfport, Florida, as residents prepare for major hurricane #HelenLandfall in the Big Bend region is approaching. pic.twitter.com/GbqPHK1d87
— Accuweather (@accuweather) September 26, 2024
A Fox 13 reporter tweeted a video of the floating dock coming loose and floating in the water.
I felt the strongest gust of wind I've ever felt in downtown St. Pete. This floating dock came loose along Bayshore Drive. @FOX13 News https://t.co/K1R6xxrv4h pic.twitter.com/MjSelxoJ0d
— Kailey Tracy Fox 13 (@KaileyTracy) September 26, 2024
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) tweeted at 6:21 p.m. ET that Hurricane Helen had been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane.
Updated Thursday 6:20pm EDT: Helen is now a very dangerous Category 4 hurricane
NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft currently surveying Helen recently found that maximum sustained winds had increased to 130 mph (215 kph). The lowest central pressure has also decreased. pic.twitter.com/8rqqf6fp38
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 26, 2024
As of 7 p.m., Helen was located about 110 miles west of Tampa and was moving northeast at 33 mph, according to communications. NBC News. NHC stated, “We need to urgently prepare to protect lives and property.''
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell acknowledged that the forecast suggests “a devastating blow to Tallahassee.”
Storm surge warnings are in effect for most of Florida's west coast, with storm surges expected to reach up to 20 feet in some areas, the newspaper reported. NHC Director Michael Brennan reportedly described the situation as “unsurvivable” early Thursday. Additionally, hurricane and tropical storm warnings are currently in effect for the entire south Florida coast. (Related: Hurricane Debbie brings life-threatening forecasts to U.S.)
According to the newspaper, 61 of Florida's 67 counties have declared a formal state of emergency. Some issued evacuation orders.
