"Gargantuan" Hurricane Helene could convey "catastrophic and deadly storm surge" to portions of Florida Gulf Coastline

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

Hurricane Helene is strengthening since it moves throughout the jap Gulf of Mexico toward a forecast Thursday evening or early Friday early morning landfall in excess of Florida's Big Bend Coast and is "predicted to bring catastrophic winds and storm surge on the northeastern Gulf Coastline," the National Hurricane Middle reported early Thursday. "Preparations to protect lifetime and property really should be rushed to completion," the center urged.

The National Weather Service warned in a post on X that, "A catastrophic and fatal storm surge is likely alongside portions with the Florida Big Bend coast, the place inundation could arrive at as higher as 20 ft earlier mentioned floor amount, in addition to harmful waves. You can find also a danger of existence-threatening storm surge alongside the remainder on the west Coastline with the Florida Peninsula. People in those locations must comply with assistance specified by nearby officials and evacuate if told to do so."