With Storm Helen becoming a hurricane and heading toward the southeastern United States, as announced by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), thousands of residents have begun evacuating the Florida coast.
The hurricane is expected to strengthen further and could cause severe problems, “with strong winds and torrential rains across much of Florida and the southeastern United States,” the NHC said.
Mobilization of the National Guard
Helena may have strengthened to a Category 3 or even 4 hurricane (on the five-point Saffir-Simpson scale) when it reaches Florida on Thursday night, local authorities said. The state’s governor, Ron DeSandis, has declared a state of emergency in nearly every county and mobilized the National Guard and thousands of other workers in case search and rescue operations or power are restored.
Ten counties issued partial and mandatory evacuation orders, while two asked all residents to leave.
Ron DeSandis said at least 12 care facilities, ranging from hospitals to nursing homes, have already begun evacuation and more will follow.
Near Tampa, long lines of cars formed as sandbags are distributed to residents to protect their properties.
“We are used to it”
“We’re used to it,” said Lorraine Major, a 44-year-old teacher who was born and raised in Florida, referring to the storms and hurricanes that hit the state every year. “But in the last few years, the hurricanes have gotten really violent.”
If forecasts hold true, Helen would be the first hurricane of its kind to hit the U.S. in a year. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, has been relatively mild this year.
Source: AMPE