Experts Warn Hurricane Helene Has Become ‘Unsurvivable’ As It’s Set To Hit US

Hurricane Helene, currently a Category 4 storm, is set to hit Florida and is being described by experts as potentially “unsurvivable” due to its catastrophic impact. The National Hurricane Center has warned that the storm surge could reach as high as 20 feet in some areas along the Florida Big Bend coast, posing a severe threat to life and property. The center emphasized that preparations to protect life should have been completed by early Thursday, as the hurricane was expected to bring tropical storm conditions by then. As of Thursday morning, the hurricane was already producing winds of 90 mph, with forecasts predicting speeds could exceed 130 mph by the afternoon.

Residents in the affected areas have been urged to evacuate, with thousands already leaving their homes. The Tallahassee National Weather Service issued a stark warning for those living near Apalachee Bay, labeling the storm surge as “catastrophic and/or potentially unsurvivable.” The hurricane has already caused significant damage in Cuba, leaving more than 50,000 people without power in the province of Pinar del Río and flooding cars in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The storm is predicted to become one of the largest to hit the Gulf of Mexico in the past century, comparable to hurricanes Irma, Ike, Ivan, and Isidore.

Hurricane expert Michael Lowry noted that the storm’s size and strength make it particularly dangerous, with its impact potentially reaching far beyond the immediate coastal areas. Floridians are no strangers to hurricanes, but Helene’s intensity and the forecasted destruction have prompted urgent calls for caution and preparation. Local authorities and emergency services are on high alert, coordinating evacuation efforts and preparing for the aftermath of the storm.

As the storm approaches, residents are being advised to stay informed through official channels and follow evacuation orders. The severity of Hurricane Helene serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of these natural disasters and the importance of being prepared for such extreme weather events. The situation remains fluid, and the full extent of the hurricane’s impact will become clearer in the coming days as it makes landfall and moves through the affected regions.