"Gargantuan" Hurricane Helene could carry "catastrophic and lethal storm surge" to elements of Florida Gulf Coastline

"Gargantuan" Hurricane Helene could bring "catastrophic and deadly storm surge" to parts of Florida Gulf Coast

Hurricane Helene is strengthening as it moves over the eastern Gulf of Mexico toward a forecast Thursday night or early Friday morning landfall about Florida's Large Bend Coastline and is "anticipated to convey catastrophic winds and storm surge for the northeastern Gulf Coastline," the Countrywide Hurricane Center explained early Thursday. "Preparations to shield existence and residence ought to be rushed to completion," the center urged.

The National Weather Service warned in a post on X that, "A catastrophic and lethal storm surge is probably going together parts in the Florida Major Bend Coastline, where inundation could attain as substantial as twenty toes higher than ground level, as well as harmful waves. You can find also a danger of existence-threatening storm surge alongside the remainder on the west coast on the Florida Peninsula. Inhabitants in All those spots should really follow guidance offered by neighborhood officials and evacuate if informed to do so."