Hurricane Helene Live Updates: Follow The Storm's Path As Florida Prepares For Landfall Amid Fears Of Catastrophic Damage To Homes And Businesses

Published: 05:00 EDT, September 26, 2024 | Updated: 05:00 EDT, September 26, 2024

Hurricane Helene is preparing to make landfall in Florida today, threatening to cause catastrophic damage to homes in the Sunshine State. The Category 4 storm is approaching the U.S. coast with winds of up to 130 mph after spending days strengthening in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The storm is expected to make landfall on Florida’s northwest coast late Thursday, and by early morning, hurricane and flash flood warnings had extended well beyond the coast into south-central Georgia.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency ahead of Helene’s landfall and state officials warned the impact on residents and businesses could be “unprecedented,” while the National Weather Service in Tallahassee forecast storm surges of up to 20 feet and warned they could be particularly “catastrophic and life-threatening” in Florida’s Apalachee Bay. It added that high winds and heavy rains also posed risks.

Follow our live blog below for the latest updates:

Hurricane Helene is expected to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast in the coming hours, threatening an “unsurmountable” storm surge that would cause catastrophic damage and could flood towns and swallow homes.

Helene could make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane tonight, packing winds of up to 130 mph after spending days strengthening in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center warned.

Forecasters predict Helene could bring storm surges of up to 20 feet (6 meters) and warned it could be particularly “catastrophic and life-threatening” in Florida’s Apalachee Bay. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm’s landfall.

1727341768 712 Hurricane Helene live updates Follow the storms path as Florida

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A sign displays a hurricane warning along a road as preparations are made for the arrival of Hurricane Helene, in Cedar Key, Florida, September 25, 2024. Thousands of residents began evacuating parts of the Florida coast on Wednesday as the U.S. state braces for Hurricane Helene, which is forecast to come ashore as a powerful and potentially deadly storm. Helene strengthened into a hurricane by mid-morning in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to recover soon. "It is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and torrential rains to much of Florida and the southeastern United States." The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported in its latest bulletin. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Hello and welcome to DailyMail.com’s live coverage of Hurricane Helene as it rapidly approaches Florida.

The National Hurricane Center warned that Helene is likely to reach Category 4 strength when it makes landfall after strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm’s arrival as forecasters predict storm surges of up to 20 feet (6 meters).

State officials say the damage could be unprecedented and catastrophic, and residents are scrambling to reach higher ground.

Follow our coverage as we follow Helene’s movements and bring you the latest developments on the ground in Florida.

Hurricane Helene live updates: Follow the storm’s path as Florida prepares for landfall amid fears of catastrophic damage to homes and businesses

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