“Extremely dangerous”: Hurricane Helene hits Florida with winds of up to 175 km/h

Hurricane Helene, which hit Florida on Thursday evening, has been downgraded to Category 2 with winds reaching up to 175 km/h. ILLUSTRATION PIXABAY

Hurricane Helene, classified as “extremely dangerous”, made landfall on Thursday evening, September 26 in the American state of Florida with gusts of rare violence but also colossal quantities of water capable of causing “catastrophic” flooding. This Friday, September 27, it was downgraded to Category 2.

“Based on NWS Doppler radar data, the eye of Hélène made landfall” in the Big Bend region of northwest Florida around 11:10 p.m., the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The hurricane made landfall “just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River”, about 25 miles southeast of the state capital of Tallahassee, which has a population of about 200,000.

The hurricane was downgraded from a Category 4 out of 5 to a Category 2 

With winds blowing at 225 km/h, the hurricane was classified as a category 4 on a scale of 5, Thursday evening. U.S. President Joe Biden "urged" residents to heed "calls to evacuate"issued by the authorities. "Take this seriously, and be careful", he insisted. On Friday, the hurricane was downgraded to Category 2, a few hours after hitting the southeastern coast of the United States, American meteorologists announced. The American Hurricane Center (NHC) reports maximum winds of 175 km/h. 

"I'm staying here. I will retreat”

On the coast near Tallahassee, many fled, having protected the windows of their houses with wooden boards, and most businesses have closed, an AFP journalist noted Thursday evening. But some like John Luper decided to stay despite the evacuation orders, in solidarity with his mother and brother. “They will not leave”, he sighs, regretting their choice. “I'm stuck with them.”

Authorities in Taylor County, Florida, have asked residents who have not followed calls to leave to write their names on their bodies with permanent markers, to help identify them if they are killed. In Crawfordville, a small town about 20 miles south of Tallahassee, Patrick Riickert has also decided to ignore the warnings. “I'm staying here. “I will retreat,” the fifty-year-old told AFP, who has his grandchildren with him. “I trust in my faith and the fact that God will protect me.”

On Thursday night, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urged residents who can still evacuate, and others to barricade themselves in and stay indoors until the next morning.

Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina also at risk

Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina will also feel the effects of the hurricane. Tens of millions of Americans are under severe weather warnings. Inland, authorities fear flash floods from heavy rains, as well as possible mudslides or landslides, particularly in the Appalachians.

In Florida, a state of emergency has been imposed across most of the state. Some 3,500 National Guard troops have been mobilized and an additional 2,000 are available if needed, according to the governor. Several airports, including those in Tallahassee and Tampa, are closed. Federal funds have been released, with personnel ready to help with search and rescue operations, restoring power or clearing roads.

“One of the largest hurricanes to hit the Gulf of Mexico this century”

What makes Helene unique is that it is very large. Its size makes it “one of the largest hurricanes to hit the Gulf of Mexico this century”, expert Michael Lowry noted. While several hurricanes have already hit the United States this year, including Beryl and Debby, they were less powerful than Helene when they made landfall.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had warned that this year's hurricane season – which runs from early June to late November – was expected to be particularly rough, particularly because of the heat of the oceans, which fuels these storms. By warming sea waters, climate change makes their rapid intensification more likely and increases the risk of more powerful hurricanes, according to scientists.