CNN
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Florida faces what could be the U.S.’s deadliest hurricane so far this season as an area of thunderstorms builds strength in the Caribbean before bringing life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds to the Southeast later this week. .
Before landfall in Florida, winds, rain and storm surge are expected to push further southeast as the system approaches the coast and rapidly intensify into Hurricane Helen, the National Hurricane Center said. Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 41 of the state’s 67 counties in an effort to speed up preparations and coordination between state and local governments ahead of the storm’s impacts.
In a bid to prepare, Tampa General Hospital began erecting a 10-foot-high flood barrier around the facility Monday because of storm surge and changes in the storm’s path.
On Monday, the potential hurricane brought rain and thunderstorms to the far western Caribbean Sea. The NHC predicts that the system will remain rapidly escalatesIt will become a hurricane by Wednesday night and eventually reach Category 3 strength.
DThe last storm to make landfall in the United States was a Category 3 hurricane — Italia — Florida recorded winds of 125 mph and created a record storm surge from Tampa to Big Bend in August of last year.
Italia went through a period Rapid intensity Its sustained winds increase to 55 mph in 24 hours – over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
A tropical storm watch was issued Monday afternoon for part of Florida’s Dry Tortugas and the Keys, and a storm surge watch is in effect Monday evening from Bonita Beach to Flamingo.
Additional warnings will be issued for the US in the coming days, with a possible landfall in Florida expected as early as Thursday evening.
The National Hurricane Center shows landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region, but CNN meteorologist Mary Gilbert says caution should be in place this week from Florida’s Gulf Coast to eastern Louisiana.
Strong, damaging winds and storm surge are possible near where the system eventually makes landfall. The system will also disturb seas in the Gulf and could create rough surf and dangerous rip currents for much of the basin, especially later this week.
“Strengthening is expected over the next few days, and the system is forecast to become a hurricane on Wednesday and continue to strengthen as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Thursday,” the NHC said. An 11 o’clock consultation is Monday.
Confidence in the system’s correct trajectory increases after it develops, as forecast models struggle to pinpoint exactly where it can go without a center to lock onto.
This stormy weather will reduce flooding as it tries to organize into a tropical system over parts of Central America, Mexico, Cuba and Jamaica. Hurricane and tropical storm watches are already in effect for parts of Mexico and Cuba.
“Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine will bring heavy rain to parts of the western Caribbean, causing significant flooding and mudslides across western Cuba” The National Hurricane Center said.
In its Monday 5 p.m. ET forecast discussion, the NHC warned that the system’s expansion into the record-warming Gulf of Mexico could have long-term implications for the United States.
“Storm surge, wind and precipitation impacts will extend from the center, particularly to the east of the system. In addition, the fast forward speed as it approaches the coast will lead to strong winds moving inland over parts of the southeastern United States after landfall,” it said.
Beginning mid-week, heavy rain is likely across much of the Southeast. Florida, Georgia, Alabama and parts of the Carolinas are under a Category 2 out of 4 flood risk, the National Weather Service said.
Helen could bring strong winds and heavy rain to much of Georgia and the Carolinas by Friday. This can lead to dangerous flooding and significant power outages.
“Heavy rainfall may result in locally significant flash and urban flooding across parts of Florida, with isolated flash and urban flooding possible in the Southeast, southern Appalachians and Tennessee Valley Wednesday through Friday. Minor to isolated moderate river flooding is possible” The National Hurricane Center said.
Helen will be the fourth hurricane to make landfall in the United States this year and the fifth to hit Florida since 2022.
A series of blows pushed Florida’s insurance market to the brink, with insurers fleeing the state because of the increased risk of extreme weather due to climate change.
