Hurricane Helene Upgraded to Category 2, Poses Deadly Threat to Florida and Southeast US

Tallahassee (US): Helene a fast-moving Hurricane was advancing across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida, threatening an “unsurvivable” storm that surged in northwestern parts of the state as well as damaged winds, rains and flash floods hundreds of miles inland across much of the southeastern US, forecasters reported on Thursday.

Helene Upgraded to Category 2, Expected to Intensify Further

Helene was upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane on Thursday morning and is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane — Category 3 or higher — by the time it hits Florida's northwestern coast on Thursday evening. Hurricane and flash flood warnings have been issued across a wide area, reaching into south-central Georgia. In response, the governors of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas have declared states of emergency.

Storm Surges Expected to Be "Catastrophic" in Apalachee Bay

The storm was forecasted to hit Florida's Big Bend region, where the panhandle meets the peninsula, according to Jack Beven, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

“Regardless of how strong it is, it is a very large storm, Beven said. “It's going to have impacts that cover a large area.” The National Weather Service office in Tallahassee forecast storm surges of up to 20 feet (6 metres) and warned they could be particularly “catastrophic and unsurvivable” in Florida's Apalachee Bay. It added that high winds and heavy rains also posed risks.

Evacuations and Preparations as Florida Residents Brace for Impact

“This forecast, if realised, is a nightmare surge scenario for Apalachee Bay,” the office said. “Please, please, please take any evacuation orders seriously!” In Crawfordville, farther inland and about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Apalachee Bay, Christine Nazworth stocked up on bottled water, baked goods and premade meals at a Walmart. She said her family would be sheltering in place, despite Wakulla County issuing a mandatory evacuation order.

“I'm prayed up,” she said. “Lord have mercy on us. And everybody else that might be in its path.” Wakulla County was one of several to issue evacuation orders. Along Florida's Gulf Coast, school districts and multiple universities have cancelled classes.

Potential for Inland Damage Across Southeastern US

On Thursday morning, Helene was located about 320 miles (515 km) southwest of Tampa, moving north-northeast at 12 mph (19 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 kph). Forecasters predict it will intensify into a Category 3 hurricane or stronger, with winds exceeding 110 mph (177 kph).

While Helene will likely weaken as it moves inland, its “fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States,” including in the southern Appalachian Mountains, the hurricane centre said. The centre posted lesser tropical storm warnings as far north as North Carolina, and warned that much of the region could experience prolonged power outages, toppled trees and dangerous flooding.

Hurricane Helene swept past Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday, flooding streets and knocking down trees as it skirted the resort city of Cancun.

The storm formed Tuesday in the Caribbean Sea. In Cuba, the government preventively shut off power in some communities as waves as high as 16 feet (5 metres) slammed Cortes Bay. 

And in the Cayman Islands, schools closed and residents pumped water from flooded homes.

Residents Prepare for Worst as Inland Areas Feel Effects

Rain was already falling steadily in Atlanta on Wednesday evening as shoppers emptied shelves of water at a Kroger supermarket east of downtown. The weather service in Atlanta issued flash flood warnings for much of the state.

Charles McComb said he still found it hard to believe Helene would seriously impact the city, which is more than 250 miles (400 km) north of the Gulf of Mexico. “It would be really unique for it to hit so far inland,” Charles said as he bought water, bread and lunch meat.

He was, however, worried about losing electricity.

“I do live in an area where it doesn't take so much for the power to go out,” he said.

Helene One of the Largest Gulf Hurricanes in Recent Years

Helene was forecast to be one of the largest storms in breadth in years to hit the region, said Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach. He said since 1988, only three Gulf hurricanes have been bigger than Helene's predicted size: 2017's Irma, 2005's Wilma, and 1995's Opal.

Areas 100 miles (160 km) north of the Georgia-Florida line can expect hurricane conditions. More than half of Georgia's public school districts and several universities canceled classes.

For Atlanta, Helene could be the worst strike on a major Southern inland city in 35 years, said University of Georgia meteorology professor Marshall Shepherd.

Landslides were possible in southern Appalachia, and rainfall was expected as far away as Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana.

Federal authorities have positioned generators, food and water, along with search-and-rescue and power restoration teams.

Helene was the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year because of record warm ocean temperatures.

Tropical Storm Isaac and Other Storm Systems Looming

In further storm activity, Tropical Storm Isaac formed Wednesday in the Atlantic and was expected to strengthen as it moves eastward across the open ocean, possibly becoming a hurricane by the end of the week, forecasters said. Isaac was about 690 miles (1,115 km) northeast of Bermuda with top sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph), according to the hurricane centre, which said its swells and winds could affect parts of Bermuda and eventually the Azores by the weekend.

Pacific Storms Add to Global Hurricane Activity

In the Pacific, former Hurricane John reformed Wednesday as a tropical storm and was strengthening as it threatened areas of Mexico's western coast. Officials posted hurricane warnings for southwestern Mexico.

John hit the country's southern Pacific coast late Monday, killing at least two people, triggering mudslides, and damaging homes and trees. It grew into a Category 3 hurricane in a matter of hours and made landfall east of Acapulco. It reemerged over the ocean after weakening inland.

(With Agencies Inputs)