What can be more dangerous than a powerful and rapidly growing hurricane? Hurricane Helene is making its progress toward Florida’s Big Bend. A landfall is expected to happen on Thursday night. This life-seeking catastrophic storm is unusually large and is getting intensified.
The National Hurricane Centre has made a forecast that Helene would turn out to be a category 4 hurricane. It is predicted to have a wind speed of 130 mph as it advances through the Gulf of Mexico the next day. Helene will be bringing destructive waves and floods. They can reach 20 feet above sea level and cause ultimate destruction.
It is expected to weaken after the landfall; however, the strong winds will cause massive damage to life and property. Helene’s path follows the route of urban areas like Tallahassee, Florida, and Atlanta, followed by Asheville, North Carolina, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
People in the Gulf Coast region are asked to take immediate action, with 24 counties under evacuation orders at the moment. Today Governors over the southern region have proclaimed states of emergency and called on citizens to act according to these threats.
Coastal region inhabitants will be most affected with the storm surges expected to hit up to heights of 18ft.
When approaching the house, Helene residents’ households are scrambling for supplies, and their windows and doors remain intact. Gas stations have long queues and evacuation routes are heavily crowded.
If you are not aware of how dangerous a hurricane of category 4 can be, take a look at the 5 hurricane categories, based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:
Category 1:
– Wind speed: 74-95 mph
– Damage: Very small loss to structures, moderate loss of trees and power poles
– Storm surge: 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m)
Category 2:
– Wind speed: A: 96-110 mph
– Damage: All round some roofing material and some doors and windows were damaged in certain buildings.
– Storm surge: 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m)
Category 3:
– Wind speed: 111–129 mph
– Damage: There will be some structural damage to large buildings, some apartment buildings may collapse
– Storm surge: 9-12 ft (2.7-3.7 m)
Category 4:
– Wind speed: 130-156 mph
– Damage: Many small structures are severely affected, low roads off the coast may be submerged
– Storm surge: 13-18 ft (4-5.5 m)
Category 5:
– Wind speed: 157 mph or higher
– Damage: Severely damaging effects will happen
– Storm surge: 18 feet or more (5.5 meters or above)
( source: https://www.arnolditkin.com/blog/insurance/the-5-categories-of-hurricanes/)
Thereby, it is evident that Helene of Category 4 is going to be quite a hefty disaster.
Thereby, it is evident that Helene of Category 4 is going to be quite a hefty disaster. For people residing in and around Florida, stay updated by keeping a track of “where is hurricane Helene now!”
