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

Hurricane Helene is strengthening since it moves across the jap Gulf of Mexico toward a forecast Thursday night or early Friday early morning landfall around Florida's Huge Bend Coastline and it is "predicted to bring catastrophic winds and storm surge on the northeastern Gulf Coastline," the National Hurricane Middle claimed 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 of the Florida Huge Bend coast, wherever inundation could reach as higher as 20 ft earlier mentioned floor stage, together with destructive waves. There exists also a Threat of everyday living-threatening storm surge together the rest of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula. Residents in These places need to comply with assistance supplied by area officers and evacuate if explained to to take action."