Tropical Storm Helene Set to Hit Florida with Life-Threatening Surge

Tropical Storm Helene is rapidly intensifying in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and is expected to become a hurricane threatening Florida with a life-threatening storm surge. With over 40 million people under storm warnings, numerous evacuations and school closures have been announced. The storm is poised to make landfall in the Big Bend region.

Tropical Storm Helene is quickly intensifying in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and is expected to escalate into a hurricane by Wednesday. Threatening life-threatening storm surge, the storm poses a grave danger to Florida, with over 40 million people under various storm warnings in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

Evacuations are widespread along Florida's Gulf coast, particularly in Sarasota, Charlotte, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties, where schools have been closed. Melissa Wolcott-Martino, a retiree in St. Petersburg, was among those packing to evacuate, having just repaired damages from Hurricane Idalia last year.

Pinellas County officials ordered evacuations of healthcare facilities and issued a warning for residents to finalize their hurricane preparedness plans. Helene is currently packing winds of 70 mph, expected to escalate to a Category 3 storm with 111 mph winds. The storm surge could reach 15 feet, with up to 15 inches of rain predicted in some areas, prompting concerns of severe flooding and potential week-long power outages.

(With inputs from agencies.)