Tallahassee, Florida – Hurricane Helene, a fast-moving storm, is approaching Florida, threatening a potentially catastrophic storm surge in the northwestern part of the state. The National Weather Service has issued hurricane warnings and flash flood warnings extending into Georgia. Governors of several states have declared emergencies. The storm is expected to make landfall as a major Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of over 110 mph.
Residents are being urged to take evacuation orders seriously as storm surges of up to 20 feet are predicted in Apalachee Bay. The tropical storm warnings extend as far north as North Carolina, with the potential for significant power outages, toppled trees, and dangerous flooding. Schools have closed along Florida’s Gulf Coast, and residents are stocking up on supplies.
Despite being hundreds of miles inland, areas such as Atlanta are preparing for heavy rains and potential flooding. Federal authorities have positioned resources for search and rescue operations and power restoration. This storm is expected to be one of the largest storms in years to hit the region. Isaac, another tropical storm, is also forming in the Atlantic and may become a hurricane. Former Hurricane John has reformed as a tropical storm and is threatening areas of Mexico’s western coast. Overall, the Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be above average this year due to warm ocean temperatures.
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