By Marlyn Montilla
Sep 24, 2024, 09:38 AM EDT
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned early Tuesday morning about the development of storm Helene, which is expected to rapidly intensify and become a Category 3 hurricane before reaching Florida in the middle of the week.
The NHC has designated the tropical disturbance southwest of the Cayman Islands as Potential Tropical Cyclone (PTC) number 9, to alert authorities of its threat.
Also, in the development of Helene, the center confirmed that the disturbance will cause heavy rains in the Western Caribbean, with great attention on its deployment towards western Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.
Residents of Florida’s west Gulf Coast have been warned to be prepared for the hurricane’s imminent arrival and the consequences of storm surges that could be life-threatening.
9/24 5AM EDT: The potential for life-threatening storm emergence from #PTC9 is increasing along the coast of the Florida Panhandle and the Florida west gulf coast. Residents should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, and also follow advice given by local officials. pic.twitter.com/PMprqEsNEg
— NHC Storm Surge (@NHC_Surge) September 24, 2024
The NHC alert predicts that the system will strengthen on Tuesday night, become a hurricane on Wednesday and make landfall this week, possibly on Thursday the 26th, on the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
This system is expected to intensify into a major hurricane before it approaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday, and the potential for life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds along the coast of the Florida Panhandle and the Florida west gulf coast… pic .twitter.com/BnWJfOxex0
— National Weather Service (@NWS) September 24, 2024
If experts’ predictions bear out and it becomes Hurricane Helene, it would be the fourth such phenomenon to hit the United States this year after Beryl, Debby and Francine.
According to a forecast made in May by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Atlantic hurricane season, which officially began on June 1, could have activity “close to” or “above” average, with between five and nine hurricanes, of which between one and four would be major.
Continue reading:
- Today’s weather in Chicago for Tuesday, September 24
- Today’s weather in New York for Tuesday, September 24
- Hurricane Helene could hit Florida this week: what you need to know