A hurricane watch and warnings of storm surges up to 15 feet high were issued for almost all of Florida’s western coastline as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine moves towards the Gulf Coast. Currently located west of Grand Cayman with sustained winds of 35 mph, the storm is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and be named Helene. The storm is expected to move across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, with watches and warnings in place for western Florida and parts of eastern Mexico.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 61 counties and urged residents to prepare for potential impacts. The National Hurricane Center predicts the storm will bring heavy rainfall, storm surge, and possible flash flooding, emphasizing the need for evacuation planning and preparation. The Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be extremely active, with factors such as warm sea surface temperatures and reduced wind shear contributing to storm intensification.
Human-caused climate change has made warm sea surface temperatures along the storm’s projected path more likely, increasing the chances of rapid intensification. If the disturbance becomes a hurricane, it will be the fifth to hit Florida in three years. Authorities are mobilizing resources and urging residents to take precautions as the storm approaches, with the potential for significant impacts along the Gulf Coast.
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