Hurricane Helene Threatens Florida with Life-Threatening Surge

Hurricane Helene, with sustained winds of 80 mph, threatens Florida's Gulf coast with life-threatening storm surges and heavy rainfall. Evacuations are underway and school closures have been announced. Residents, particularly in low-lying areas, are urged to prepare for power outages and flooding.

Hurricane Helene officially achieved hurricane status on Wednesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. Packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph), the storm is currently churning in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Forecasters anticipate further intensification through Thursday, bringing life-threatening storm surge to much of Florida's coastline.

Over 40 million residents in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama are under hurricane and tropical storm warnings as of Wednesday, the National Weather Service reported. Mass evacuations are being implemented along Florida's Gulf coast, notably in Sarasota and Charlotte counties. Numerous counties, including Hillsborough and Pinellas, have announced school closures.

Amid continuous weather updates, Melissa Wolcott-Martino of St. Petersburg was busy packing to evacuate her coastal home. She had only recently completed repairs from last year's Hurricane Idalia. Additionally, Pinellas County has ordered evacuations for healthcare facilities near the coast, given its precarious position between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to execute their hurricane preparedness plans during a Tuesday briefing. Helene is projected to become a Category 3 storm before making landfall in Florida's Big Bend region by Thursday evening. Forecasts indicate up to a 15-foot storm surge and up to 15 inches of rain in some areas, posing significant risks of flash and urban flooding.

As per Florida emergency officials, residents in Helene's path should brace for potential power outages lasting up to a week.

(With inputs from agencies.)