Florida, September 27, 2024 – The Europe Today: At least three people have died as Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida late Friday, bringing powerful winds and severe weather conditions to the region. Though the storm weakened after landfall, disaster officials have warned that Helene remains “extremely dangerous” as it moves inland.
Initially a Category 4 hurricane, Helene is one of the most powerful weather systems in recent decades. As it tore through Florida, it continued into neighboring Georgia, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) advised residents to stay sheltered, warning of “catastrophic winds,” storm surges, and heavy rains. “This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,” the NHC said in a bulletin.
According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the NHC, Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region at approximately 11:10 p.m. EDT, just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River.
At its peak, Helene packed winds of 130 miles per hour (215 kilometers per hour) as it churned across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida’s Big Bend area, south of Tallahassee. Despite weakening to a Category 1 storm after landfall, it maintained windspeeds of 90 miles per hour (145 kilometers per hour) as it continued inland.
Emergency officials are urging residents in affected areas to remain cautious and adhere to safety advisories as the storm continues its path of destruction.
