‘Gargantuan’ Hurricane Helene could bring ‘catastrophic and deadly storm surge’ to parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast

MIAMI — Hurricane Helene is strengthening as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico towards a forecast Thursday evening or early Friday morning landfall over Florida’s Big Bend Coast and is “expected to bring catastrophic winds and storm surge to the northeastern Gulf Coast,” the National Hurricane Center said early Thursday. “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the center urged.

The National Weather Service warned in a post on X that, “A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend coast, where inundation could reach as high as 20 feet above ground level, along with destructive waves. There is also a danger of life-threatening storm surge along the remainder of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula. Residents in those areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so.”

Helene had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph overnight Thursday, making it a Category 1 storm. Winds of 96-110 mph would make it a Category 2 and it would be classified as a Category 3 — and major hurricane — with winds of 111-129 mph.