Hurricane Helene: 'Potentially unsurvivable' storm headed to US

Hurricane Helene is gaining power as it moves closer to the Gulf Coast of the United States.

The category one storm is expected to rapidly strengthen into a threatening category four hurricane by the time it reaches Florida on Thursday evening. Official predictions and alerts characterize its potential effects as "devastating," "hazardous to life," and "incapable of survival."

The leaders of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia have announced a state of emergency in preparation for the impending storm.

The Yucatán peninsula in Mexico, along with the popular tourist destinations of Cancún and Cozumel, avoided significant harm when the hurricane passed closely by its northeastern coast without actually hitting the land.

Heavy rainfall led to flooding in certain areas of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

Tourists and locals in Cancún have shared videos of buses trying to navigate through flooded streets in the area where many hotels are situated.

However, the governor of the state confirmed that there were no injuries, and authorities noted that electricity was being gradually restored to the areas that had lost it.

At 06:00 GMT, Helene’s highest sustained winds reached 85 mph (140 km/h).

The National Hurricane Center (NHC), located in the United States, reported that the category one hurricane is currently traveling north at a speed of 12 mph (19 km/h) across the Gulf of Mexico. It is anticipated to gain strength quickly, posing a significant risk of destructive winds and storm surges for the northeastern Gulf Coast.

Hurricanes require ocean surface temperatures exceeding 27°C (80°F) to strengthen and thrive.

The Gulf's waters are unusually warm right now, ranging from 30 to 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature is roughly two degrees Celsius higher than what we typically expect for this season.

This will greatly accelerate Helene's growth and lead to a phenomenon known as "rapid intensification" in meteorology.

The National Hurricane Center anticipates that Helene will peak in intensity as a category four major hurricane shortly before it hits the shore on Thursday evening, affecting the Big Bend counties of Taylor, Jefferson, and Wakulla.

It encouraged people to quickly get ready to safeguard themselves and their belongings ahead of the hurricane's arrival.

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee reported that the storm could generate surges as high as 6 meters (20 feet) in Apalachee Bay, Florida.

It characterized these possible increases as "disastrous and impossible to survive" for anyone caught in their path.

Storm surges can pose serious dangers even far from the coast, as rising floodwaters can travel deep into the land.

During a press briefing, the mayor of Tallahassee, Florida, also cautioned residents to get ready.

"We can't afford to wait any longer," said Mayor John Dailey.

"We encourage you to keep an eye on the weather, as we are approaching what might be a significant event."

All public schools in Atlanta, Georgia, will be closed on Thursday and Friday due to the storm.

The race for the presidency has also been impacted, as the Republican vice-presidential candidate, JD Vance, has called off two events in Georgia that were scheduled for Thursday.

The National Hurricane Center warned that the storm could cause severe and possibly deadly flash and urban flooding throughout the southeastern United States.

The National Hurricane Center has indicated that when it arrives in the southeastern U.S., it is likely to bring total rainfall of five to ten inches (12.7 to 25.4 centimeters).

A flood alert has been released stretching from Florida to the southern Appalachians, with the Big Bend area in Florida expected to experience the most significant impact.

Big Bend was the site where Hurricane Idalia struck land in 2023. Just a month earlier, the region also faced significant damage from Hurricane Debby.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management has released a list of counties where residents are urged or required to evacuate in preparation for Hurricane Helene.