Hurricane Helen update: Latest track and forecast as Florida prepares for landfall

Florida residents are preparing for Hurricane Helen, which could be one of the most devastating storms the state has ever seen.

“I usually don’t worry too much about it so I’ll leave something behind,” resident Stanley West said. Tallahassee Democrat. “But this time, I’m going to do everything I can. It’s easier to get it back and have it than it is to lose it.”

Charlotte Bland, 89, told the outlet she was preparing to evacuate before the storm hit, after she fell and broke two teeth during a recent storm.

“I don’t like being alone,” she said. Tallahassee Democrat.

AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist John Porter said Hurricane Helen could strengthen into a Category 4 storm with winds of 156 mph.

“Helene’s impacts will be widespread, not just near landfall on the Florida peninsula,” Porter said. “Storm storm surge will be life-threatening across the Florida peninsula and south to Tampa. Destructive wind gusts will cause significant damage to homes and businesses, potentially destroying them.”

“This storm will down countless trees and potentially cause extended power outages across southern Florida, as well as inland Georgia and into the western South and North Carolinas,” he added. “Please obey evacuation orders and get your families to safety. Conditions along the coast are extremely dangerous, with potential damage hundreds of miles inland.”

The Florida Department of Education announced that K-12 schools in 51 counties will be closed for the next few days as Hurricane Helen heads toward the state.

Meanwhile, as of Wednesday morning, 17 university systems and eight colleges had announced closures.

“The Florida Department of Education works closely with school districts before, during and after natural disasters to ensure they have the resources they need to resume normal operations as quickly as possible,” the department wrote.

“We will continue to work with district leadership and address any questions that arise. Officials are currently monitoring the storm.”

“Devastating” storm surge and flooding could make parts of Tallahassee and surrounding areas “uninhabitable” for weeks or months, it said. National Weather Service He said.

Tallahassee Mayor John Daly told residents that Hurricane Helen could cause “unprecedented damage” to the Florida city if it stays on its current path.

“Countless trees will be down. There will be damage to buildings. There will be power outages,” Daly said Wednesday. “Yes, if our community remains in the center of Helen’s path as predicted, we will see unprecedented damage the likes of which we’ve never seen before.”

The storm is likely to make landfall in Florida on Thursday.

Tallahassee Mayor John Daly told residents that Hurricane Helen could cause “unprecedented damage” to the Florida city if it stays on its current path.

“Countless trees will be down. There will be damage to buildings. There will be power outages,” Daly said Wednesday. “Yes, if our community remains in the center of Helen’s path as predicted, we will see unprecedented damage the likes of which we’ve never seen before.”

If Helen makes landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, it will be the strongest storm to hit the city in history, Daly said, and all residents should prepare for a direct hit.