Hurricane Helene is expected to bring heavy winds and rain to much of the southeastern US after it makes landfall in Florida.

National Hurricane Center

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National Hurricane Center

As Hurricane Helene approaches the northwest coast of Florida, meteorologists are warning that communities hundreds of miles away should prepare for heavy flooding from heavy rainfall and high winds.

The storm is moving across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and is expected to pass the coast of Big Bend, Florida, on Thursday night or early Friday morning. National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.

At 8 a.m. ET, Helene was about 320 miles southwest of Tampa and had strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of up to 100 mph.

But meteorologists say the hurricane will strengthen and become a “major hurricane” by the time it reaches the Florida coast, with maximum winds expected to reach 115 mph (185 km/h) at landfall – a Category 3 storm.

“As a result, storm surge, wind and rainfall impacts will extend well beyond the center and outside the forecast cone, particularly on the eastern side,” the NHC warns.

Hurricane-force winds extend up to 60 miles (96 kilometers) from Helene’s center, while tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 340 miles (555 kilometers), making the storm unusually large.

The storm is also expected to move inland at high speed, bringing strong winds and rainfall. This will increase the risk of flooding, landslides, falling trees and power outages. The storm will spread across the southeastern U.S. and north to the Appalachian Mountains.

That’s alarming for federal meteorologists, who a rare press release issued noting that flooding from extreme rainfall was the single deadliest direct cause of tropical cyclone deaths in the U.S. over the past decade.

They are urging residents near the storm to follow evacuation orders, make a plan to protect their families and property, and avoid the road if flooding is expected.

The latest local updates about Helene

NPR Network member stations are reporting on the local impact of Hurricane Helene across the southeastern United States.

The latest updates from all over the world Florida:
➡️ Gainesville (via WUFT)
➡️ Jacksonville (via WJCT)
➡️ Fort Myers via (WGCU)
➡️ Orlande (via Central Florida Public Media)
➡️ Tampa (via WUSF)
➡️ Highland (via WFSU)

The latest updates from the Southeast:
➡️ Georgia (via GPB)
➡️ South Carolina (via South Carolina Public Radio)

➡️ Find your local station

Florida’s coast could face storm surges of up to 20 feet (6 meters)

Weather experts warn that a “catastrophic and deadly” storm surge is likely along parts of Florida’s Big Bend coast, where flooding could reach heights of up to 20 feet (6 meters).

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Tallahassee is warning of a “unsurvivable“storm surge for Apalachee Bay that could wash away buildings, inundate escape routes, damage docks and marinas, and strand small craft.

There is also a risk of “life-threatening” storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida peninsula, with a forecast storm surge of more than six feet from Indian Pass in the panhandle to south of Tampa.

“If you live in an area where Helene’s evacuation orders are in effect, please comply with them,” NWS says“This is very, very serious.”

Dozens of Florida counties fall under one or the other mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders. Several provinces, including Pinellas And Citrushave ordered the evacuation of nursing and care homes.

Many public school districts and higher education institutionsas well as multiple airportsare closed all day in any case.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has a declaration of emergency to cover nearly the entire state, 61 of the 67 counties.

Helene is “a storm that is stronger than anything we’ve ever seen in this region, I think, in anyone’s memory,” he said. warned during a press conference on wednesday.

Emergency officials in Florida have urged residents to evacuate if they live in an area where storm surge is possible or if they are surrounded by large trees that could fall on their homes.

They remind people to remove loose items from outdoor areas, move electric vehicles to higher ground and never run a generator indoorsThey also urged Florida residents to plan for extended power outages, which utilities would not be able to prevent. Florida Power & Light Company says it is prepared to address the issue when it is safe to do so.

Once the storm leaves Florida, it will continue its destructive path through Georgia, the Carolinas and the Appalachians.

“We’re just the opening act,” DeSantis said.

States as far north as Virginia are bracing for heavy winds and rain

A satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Helene in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday evening.

AP/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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AP/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

After Helene makes landfall, winds are expected to shift to the northwest and slow over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.

“Helene’s rapid forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, particularly in gusts, to extend far inland across the southeastern United States, including the higher elevations of the southern Appalachians,” the NHC said.

Rainfall totals of up to 18 inches (45 centimeters) are forecast for Appalachia, with high potential for flooding in urban areas around Tallahassee, metro Atlanta and western North Carolina, including Asheville.

Forecasters also warned of “catastrophic and life-threatening” lightning strikes and flooding in urban areas, including “numerous significant landslides” in the southern Appalachians through Friday, with river flooding also likely.

The governors of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia have declared states of emergency as the storm rages across the country.

Areas 100 miles north of the Florida-Georgia border can expect hurricane conditions, according to the Associated PressMore than half of Georgia’s public school districts and several universities have canceled classes.

In the metro atlanta area — who under a tropical storm warning — major events have been cancelled or postponed, including campaign events by Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance and the final two games of a thrilling series between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves.

The National Weather Service in Atlanta warns that Damaging wind gusts – and a high risk of downed trees and power lines – are likely through Friday, as well as a increased risk of tornadoes.

“Make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts and don’t leave your phone on silent all night!” the organization tweeted.

Here are more tips for staying safe before, during, and after a hurricane from the National Weather Servicethe American Red Cross And NPR.