Hurricane Helene reached Category 4 strength Thursday afternoon, bearing maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour.
Hurricane Helene was about 120 miles west of Tampa, Florida, on Thursday afternoon, moving north-northeast at a relatively quick 23 miles per hour.
The storm is forecast to continue moving quickly until landfall in Florida's Big Bend region. Once it makes landfall, it is forecast to turn northwest and slow down, but the storm is still expected to bring hurricane conditions inland.
Catastrophic and deadly storm surge could reach higher than 20 feet above ground level in parts of the Big Bend region, according to the National Hurricane Center. Life-threatening storm surge is also possible "along the remainder of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula."
The National Hurricane Center warns that as of Thursday afternoon, opportunity to evacuate the affected region has almost ended.
Catastrophic hurricane-force wind is expected over northern Florida and Southern Georgia during and after landfall, and the National Hurricane Center says "damaging wind gusts will penetrate well inland over portions of Georgia and the Carolinas Thursday tonight, particularly over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians." Tropical storm-force winds are expected as far north as North Carolina and hurricane-force winds are expected all the way north to Macon, Georgia.
Power outages were expected across the regions affected by wind.
Flash flooding and landslides are also forecast across the southern Appalachian region as the storm moves inland.
President Joe Biden on Thursday approved a pre-landfall disaster declaration for Alabama, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. The step frees up more federal resources and communication for affected states as they respond to the storm.
RELATED STORY | United Cajun Navy prepares as Hurricane Helene rapidly advances on the Gulf Coast
What is causing Helene to become so strong?
Helene is headed over what is known as the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico. Generally, hurricanes need water temperatures to reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit to develop. The water in the Loop Current is around 87 degrees.
There is also little wind shear to disrupt the storm's formation, and there is plenty of moisture in the air to help aid its growth.
One thing that kept it from developing even faster was forecasters found concentric eyewalls formed around the center. But even with having two eyewalls taking energy from each other, Helene continued to steadily grow given the favorable environment.
A larger storm carries potential for far-reaching effects
The National Hurricane Center has stressed that residents of the Southeastern U.S. should not focus on just where the point of landfall will be. While the worst impacts likely will be felt at the coast, flooding, power outages and tornadoes are expected hundreds of miles inland.
RELATED STORY | Medical professionals are changing their training due to climate change
Helene is expected to quickly move ashore and reach Georgia as a hurricane early Friday. It is also expected to have a larger-than-usual wind field. These factors mean residents of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina are being urged to prepare for tropical storm conditions.
"Potentially catastrophic hurricane-force winds are expected within the eyewall of Helene when it makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend region later today. Preparations to protect life and property should be completed this morning before tropical storm conditions arrive. Damaging and life-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, will penetrate well inland over portions of northern Florida and southern Georgia later today and tonight where Hurricane Warnings are in effect," said National Hurricane Center forecaster Jack Beven. "Strong wind gusts are also likely farther north across portions of northern Georgia and the Carolinas, particularly over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians."
Impacts to travel
Tampa International Airport suspended operations early Thursday morning ahead of the storm. Tallahassee International Airport has also suspended operations for Thursday. Both airports will reopen when it is safe to do so.
Many airlines at Southwest Florida International Airport, which serves the Fort Myers region, suspended operations on Thursday.
Sarasota Airport is open, but many flights have been canceled or delayed.
Also, there have not been any major delays on interstates in Florida. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' office said Highway Patrol is "patrolling interstate systems to ensure appropriate traffic flow while supporting evacuation efforts."
