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

Hurricane Helene is strengthening as it moves over the jap Gulf of Mexico toward a forecast Thursday night or early Friday early morning landfall about Florida's Large Bend Coastline and is "anticipated to provide catastrophic winds and storm surge towards the northeastern Gulf Coast," the Countrywide Hurricane Centre mentioned early Thursday. "Preparations to safeguard existence and residence should be rushed to completion," the center urged.

The National Weather Service warned in a post on X that, "A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely alongside parts of your Florida Large Bend coast, the place inundation could arrive at as high as 20 feet previously mentioned floor stage, along with destructive waves. There exists also a Threat of lifetime-threatening storm surge together the rest of your west Coastline of the Florida Peninsula. Residents in These locations must comply with assistance supplied by area officers and evacuate if instructed to take action."