People along the upper Gulf Coast region of Florida have less than 48 hours to prepare for life-threatening storm surges, destructive winds, flooding and spin-up tornadoes embedded in tropical rainbands, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
“We’re urging people to get away from the immediate coastline and follow evacuation orders by local officials,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said in an announcement. “We’re expecting deadly storm surge in parts of the Big Bend region.
“If you get caught in this storm surge in the hardest-hit areas, rescue crews likely will not be able to respond during the height of the storm. It’s too dangerous,” DaSilva added. “This hurricane is expected to be quite large. Impacts will be widespread.”
Helene was officially named a tropical storm on Tuesday morning.
“This is another classic case of homegrown development,” AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said in an announcement. “We have less than 72 hours between the point when the developing storm is officially named and when it makes landfall as a powerful hurricane.
“Homegrown development leaves people with less time to prepare,” Rayno added. “These water temperatures are high octane, it’s like pouring gasoline on a fire.”
AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter says exceptionally warm water temperatures and other conducive factors will allow Helene to intensify over the next 24 hours.
