The Weather Authority Issues Alert for Potent Hurricane Carrying threats
In the United States, FEMA has issued a warning about the upcoming Hurricane "Helene," which is expected to hit the Florida coast. As per FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, this hurricane could impact multiple states, from Florida to Tennessee, and the potential consequences could be severe. The National Weather Service predicts that "Helene" will make landfall in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane on Thursday evening (local time), bringing with it catastrophic and deadly storm surges.
Dangerous storm surges forecasted
The effects of the hurricane are already being observed in Florida, with forecasts indicating storm surges of up to six meters. Regions at high risk include the entire west coast of Florida and the Big Bend region in the north. Criswell emphasized that it's the water that poses the most threat, urging people to take the storm seriously.
Residents in the path of Hurricane Helene are advised to follow instructions from their local authorities. Criswell stressed that even though time is running out, it's not too late to evacuate.
On its journey towards Florida, "Helene" grew in strength over the Gulf of Mexico and was upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane. Its passage through Cuba resulted in numerous floods and power outages, leaving over 70,000 people without electricity, according to "Granma" newspaper. Several villages were isolated due to heavy flooding. The agriculturally significant region of Pinar del Rio in western Cuba also suffered damage to its fields.
The hurricane has led to a shutdown of about a quarter of U.S. oil production and a fifth of natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico, as reported by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE).
Florida recalls "Ian"
The impending arrival of "Helene" may stir up disturbing memories for many people in Florida. Two years ago, Hurricane "Ian" struck the state, causing extensive damage and claiming over 100 lives. The storm's center hit a densely populated region in the southwest of the state, wreaking havoc on coastal cities such as Naples with wind speeds reaching around 240 kilometers per hour. The neighborhoods were flooded, leaving substantial destruction in its wake.
Hurricanes are formed over warm ocean water. Experts suggest that rising global temperatures could increase the likelihood of strong storms. The hurricane season in the Atlantic begins on June 1 and ends on November 30.
Florida residents are encouraged to remember the lessons learned from Hurricane "Ian", which struck the state two years ago, causing significant damage and loss of life. The upcoming Hurricane "Helene" is projected to make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane along Florida's coast, potentially inducing storm surges of up to six meters and posing significant risks to coastal regions such as the west coast and the Big Bend.
