"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 in excess of Florida's Large Bend Coastline and is "anticipated to convey catastrophic winds and storm surge on the northeastern Gulf Coastline," the National Hurricane Middle reported early Thursday. "Preparations to protect lifetime and property must be rushed to completion," the center urged.

The National Weather Service warned in a post on X that, "A catastrophic and fatal storm surge is probably going along portions on the Florida Significant Bend coast, in which inundation could get to as superior as 20 feet over ground stage, coupled with destructive waves. There is certainly also a Threat of lifetime-threatening storm surge alongside the remainder on the west Coastline with the Florida Peninsula. People in Those people areas ought to stick to tips presented by community officers and evacuate if instructed to take action."