Hurricane Helen update: Category 3 storm threatens Florida with ‘unsurvivable’ storm surge

The National Hurricane Center announced that Air Force hurricane hunters found Helen to be a “dangerous” major hurricane Thursday afternoon.

The system strengthened to a Category 3 storm, with maximum sustained wind speeds increasing to 190 mph.

The National Weather Service in Miami announced that Hurricane Helen has made its closest approach to South Florida.

It is currently rising further north in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

“Strong winds, intermittent heavy rain, and dangerous coastal and marine conditions are expected for the next few hours,” the agency said.

Further strengthening is expected before Helen makes landfall in Florida’s Big Bend.

Hurricane Helen is accelerating towards Big Bend, Florida and is expected to make landfall late tonight.

The Category 3 storm is bringing tropical storm conditions to much of the state’s west coast.

Winds are picking up at the mouth of Tampa Bay, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Damaging winds and up to a foot of rain are expected in the southern Appalachians, with up to 20 inches possible.

“This rainfall, along with major river flooding, could cause deadly and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding. Numerous significant landslides are expected in the steep terrain of the southern Appalachians. “The National Hurricane Center warned.

The National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, warned of “one of the most significant weather events to occur in the western part of the region in modern times.”

“Record flooding is predicted and has been compared to the Asheville area flood of 1916,” the paper said.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri warned residents of evacuation zones against playing “stupid games.”

Storm surge in the county could reach 5 to 8 feet.

“We’ve all heard the adage that if you play a stupid game you get a stupid prize. They don’t come out and neither do we, so someone wins a stupid prize.” That’s going to happen,” Gualtieri said.

If you are in evacuation zone A, please evacuate now.

The Florida Highway Patrol in Tampa announced the closure of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Thursday afternoon as conditions in the area continue to deteriorate.

“Due to weather conditions continuing to deteriorate, with wind gusts reaching 60 miles per hour, FHP will be closed for business.” #skyway” the patrolman wrote to X.

“Motorists should seek alternative routes, avoid driving on flooded roads and stay off roads in the area unless absolutely necessary.”

Live video shows Hurricane Helen heading north up the Florida coast and hitting Tampa.

As of 3 p.m. EDT Thursday, storm surge and winds were increasing along Florida’s west coast.

The observatory at the mouth of Tampa Bay measures sustained wind speeds of 80 mph and gusts of 102 mph.

As Helen approached the U.S. Gulf Coast, NOAA satellite images captured lightning around the eye of the storm.

AccuWeather forecasters expect Hurricane Helen to hit as a powerful Category 4 storm late Thursday night.

Forecasters said maximum sustained wind speeds could be between 131 and 155 mph.

“Rising water from the Gulf of Mexico could reach 23 feet in the hardest-hit coastal areas of Big Bend, Florida. That’s two stories high and unsustainable for people in those areas,” Accu said. Weather’s chief meteorologist John Porter warned. “Life-threatening storm surge danger extends into Tampa Bay, where flooding of 6 to 10 feet is possible.”

The greatest risk of rising water is expected along and near the coast, with extremely dangerous conditions expected from nightfall onwards.

The destructive winds are expected to reach far inland, causing devastating flash flooding hundreds of miles from where Helen will make landfall.

“We predict Helen will make landfall as a devastating Category 4 hurricane in the Apalachicola region between Mexico Beach and Horseshoe Beach,” Bernie Reyno said.

The City of Treasure Island announced that the National Guard arrived in the area Thursday afternoon.

“The National Guard has arrived and is working to get the message out to people to take the final call to evacuate seriously. City emergency officials are currently being briefed,” the city said on Facebook. . “They will remain in the area to assist with rescue operations if necessary.”

Helen nearly became a major hurricane Thursday afternoon as Floridians scrambled to prepare for the storm.

The Category 2 storm is expected to rapidly strengthen before making landfall on the northwest Florida coast Thursday evening.

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said on TV’s “X” that Helen will make landfall in the Big Bend, but dangerous conditions are expected throughout the Sunshine State and “outside the forecast cone.”

“To protect yourself from hazards such as debris, downed power lines, and standing water, don’t work in the dark tonight. State and local emergency management officials recommend clearing debris after the storm has passed. “We stand ready to assist seniors and others who need help with removal,” he wrote.

Helen’s maximum sustained wind speeds increased to nearly 110 mph, with stronger wind gusts. Hurricane-force winds can extend outward up to 90 miles from the center of the hurricane.

Tornado warnings were issued for Georgia, South Carolina and northern Florida as tornadoes circled less than 320 miles southwest of Tampa.

Tampa’s airport was closed, as were Tallahassee and Clearwater airports.

School districts and several universities canceled classes.

From an Associated Press report