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(Tallahassee, FL) – Hurricane Helene is now a Category 4 hurricane ahead of its anticipated landfall in Florida’s Big Bend. Tallahassee’s mayor says it could be the “strongest hurricane in recorded history ever to hit” his city dead-on according to FEMA
The National Hurricane Center says the storm’s maximum sustained winds have increased to 130-miles-per-hour. A storm surge warning is in effect for almost the entire west coast of Florida and the storm surge could reach as high as 20 feet in some areas. A storm surge warning is in effect for almost the entire west coast of Florida and water could reach as high as 20 feet in some areas.
Forecasters say once it moves into Georgia, it will be strong Category 2 storm. Residents there can expect winds of 75 to 110 miles-per-hour. Five-to-eight inches of rain are possible in Sumter County and areas to the southeast, which could lead to flash flooding. Widespread power outages are also expected. Over 1200 flights have been delayed or cancelled.
President Biden says he’s spent hours with FEMA to ensure cities have the necessary support and resources to handle the storm. More than a-thousand federal personnel have been deployed to areas of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Alabama, including search and rescue teams, and medical staff. New York Task Force-1 is heading out to help with Hurricane Helene. 46 task force members have been activated by FEMA made up of FDNY, NYPD, and emergency management personnel.
