The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts the storm will intensify into a Category 3 hurricane as it makes landfall in Florida.
NOAA upgraded Helen to a Category 1 hurricane on Wednesday and it is expected to make landfall in Florida on Thursday, NBC News reported. Reported.
The storm is strengthening in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is already recording sustained winds of up to 80 mph. NOAA has already captured footage of the “eye of the hurricane” from a Lockheed WP-3D turboprop aircraft and is sharing the footage on social media.
Greetings from the eye of the hurricane #Helen!👋
Check out the view from here @NOAA WP-3D Orion #NOAA43 “Miss Piggy” on this morning's mission. The flight is collecting data to improve intensity forecasts and support hurricane research.
check Translator and https://t.co/3phpgKNx0q For the latest information… pic.twitter.com/lU2NstBrn6— NOAA Aircraft Operations Center (@NOAA_HurrHunter) September 25, 2024
“Helene is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and flooding rains to much of Florida and the southeastern U.S.,” the National Hurricane Center warned in a tweet. (Related: Rare, 'unusual' tropical storm Akara forms in Atlantic Ocean off Brazil)
September 25th, 11am EDT: #Helen Helene is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to much of Florida and the southeastern U.S. Be sure to check the latest forecasts throughout the event. pic.twitter.com/aiDCNlravO
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 25, 2024
“As always, Florida is preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. We have nearly 18,000 power line workers already deployed (with more on the way) and search and rescue and road cleanup crews standing by,” Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, tweeted Tuesday.
Tropical Storm Helene is currently underway and is expected to continue to strengthen, so Florida, as always, is preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.
Around 18,000 powerline workers are already in place (with more on the way), and search and rescue and road-clearing teams are also on standby.
Stay tuned… pic.twitter.com/lJI5miDkvN
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 24, 2024
According to NBC News, Atlanta officials announced that public schools would be closed Thursday and Friday due to “anticipated severe weather resulting from Hurricane Helen.”
A Category 3 hurricane is defined as having wind speeds between 111 and 129 miles per hour. According to Please report these storms to the National Weather Service.[d]Hurricanes can cause “catastrophic damage,” including major destruction of well-built homes and uprooting trees. People in affected areas may experience power and water outages for several days or more. Hurricanes of Category 3 or higher are classified as major hurricanes.
