Helene is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast late tomorrow as a potential Category 3 storm, prompting a state of emergency in 61 of the state’s 67 counties. As of this writing, Helene is poised to strengthen into the Atlantic’s fifth hurricane today after it passes through the Yucatan channel near Cancun. Helene is the Atlantic’s eighth named storm of the year.
A hurricane watch is in effect from Tallahassee in Florida’s northwestern panhandle to Tampa along the state’s western coast (see tracker). Many school systems and universities will close through Friday amid warnings of storm surges as high as 15 feet and sustained winds over 115 mph. Several counties have also ordered evacuation notices. Last month, meteorologists reaffirmed this year’s Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 to Nov. 30) would have a 90% chance of above-normal activity, with 17 to 24 named storms likely.
In the Pacific, at least two people are dead after Category 3 Hurricane John made landfall Monday night on Mexico’s southwestern coast.
Florida Braces for Helene added by Staff on
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