The Storm Helen The hurricane rapidly strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane this morning near Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula as it headed toward Florida, becoming the strongest hurricane to hit the United States in more than a year.
• Read also: Potentially major hurricane heading toward Florida
Thousands of residents began evacuating the coast of Florida in the southeastern United States on Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Helen The US National Hurricane Center said the hurricane strengthened on Wednesday as it moved towards the southeastern United States.
The organization said in its latest bulletin that the hurricane is expected to turn into a “major hurricane” and could cause particularly “violent winds and heavy rains over much of Florida and the southeastern United States.”
It could hit Florida on Thursday evening as a Category 3 or even 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale (which includes 5), according to local authorities in Florida.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in nearly every county in Florida, which has 67 counties.
The National Guard and thousands of personnel have also been mobilized in preparation for possible search and rescue operations, power restoration and road clearing.
Ten Florida counties have announced mandatory partial evacuation orders, while two have called for all residents to evacuate.
Ron DeSantis said at least 12 health care facilities, from hospitals to nursing homes, have already begun evacuating and more are expected to follow.
Mega image / Win
“Regulars”
You will feel the effects of this storm. […] The governor made the announcement at a news conference across the Florida peninsula.
Near Tampa, long lines of cars were seen at several locations where sand was distributed to fill bags for protection.
“We’re used to it,” admits Lauren Major, a 44-year-old teacher who has lived in Florida her entire life, referring to the multiple storms and hurricanes that impact the state each year.
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“But in recent years, hurricanes have become very violent,” she adds.
If Helen's forecasts are confirmed, it would be the first hurricane of this size to hit the United States in more than a year.
The last time such a powerful hurricane passed through was in August 2023, when Ida hit northeastern Florida.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on 1any The period from June to November 30 was less severe than expected.
But scientists say climate change, by warming ocean waters, is making rapid intensification of storms more likely and increasing the risk of more powerful hurricanes.
