The US National Hurricane Center said Florida’s Big Bend region was likely to feel the harshest effects of the storm, including flooding and storm surges "20 feet above ground levels" and "destructive waves”.
However, life-threatening conditions are forecast along all of Florida’s western Gulf coast – which is home to tourist hotspots such as Tampa, Fort Myers and Sarasota.
Tampa airport was closed on Thursday, forcing dozens of cancellations, although services are expected to operate as normal once the airport reopens on Friday (27 September).
Formed on Tuesday (22 September) in the Caribbean sea, Helene has gained strength over the past three days, bringing high winds and heavy rain to Cuba and Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula before making landfall in Florida.
Governor Ron DeSantis has urged residents to stay indoors after a motorist was killed when a road sign fell on their vehicle.
"When Floridians wake up tomorrow morning, we’re going to be waking up to a state where, very likely, there’s been additional loss of life and there’s going to be loss of property,” DeSantis added.
Wide satellite view shows Tropical Storm #John still bringing flooding rains to the Pacific coast of Mexico, Tropical Storm #Helene moving inland over the USA, the newly upgraded Hurricane #Isaac and two areas of disturbed weather west of Africa being watched for development. pic.twitter.com/giFbLes41Q
— Met Office Storms (@metofficestorms) September 27, 2024
A third storm, Tropical Storm Isaac, is also heading towards Florida.
States of emergency have also been declared in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, where winds have reached speeds of up to 77mph.
"Hurricane Helene will be a state-wide event,” wrote Georgia governor Brian Kemp on X (formerly Twitter). “For the next several days, keep your devices charged with the sound on, be mindful of weather alerts and updates and follow the links below for up-to-date emergency information."
Satellite and radar imagery shows the core of Hurricane #Helene remaining intact as it pushes across Georgia and a plume of rainfall pushing ahead well into the interior of the USA. pic.twitter.com/jTpcbwzzpN
— Met Office Storms (@metofficestorms) September 27, 2024
Meanwhile, in Mexico, Hurricane John has claimed 10 lives after passing through the western states of Colima, Michoacan, Guerrero and Oaxaca – the latter two home to resort towns like Acapulco and Puerto Escondido.
“Please follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator, including any evacuation orders,” said the Foreign Office in an update to its travel advice for Mexico.
Forecasters are predicting an "above-normal" Atlantic hurricane season this year, which could see 17 to 25 named storms hit the region during the period to November, with eight likely to become hurricanes.
