Hurricane Helene’s Massive Size is Alarming Forecasters

Hurricane Helene’s extraordinary size—combined with its intensity—is setting off alarm bells among forecasters, prompting urgent warnings for residents along the Florida coast and inland areas.

A Wednesday afternoon update from the National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Helene is now forecast to reach Category 4 strength, with sustained winds reaching more than 130 m.p.h. within the next 24 hours. “It should be noted that additional strengthening is possible beyond 24 hours before Helene makes landfall Thursday evening,” the NHC said.

The storm’s expansive reach and intensity threatens to bring widespread destruction far beyond where it is projected to make landfall. In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is sounding the alarm on the potential for catastrophic inland flooding that could continue long after landfall.

“Helene is forecast to be a large major hurricane when it reaches the Big Bend coast of Florida,” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports, emphasizing the storm’s potential for widespread impact. The hurricane’s massive size is already evident in its wind field, with tropical-storm-force winds now extending an astounding 345 miles miles from its center.

As Helene barrels towards the Florida Big Bend coast, it’s expected to intensify rapidly. This rapid strengthening, coupled with the storm’s size and forward speed, heightens the risk of catastrophic damage.

The danger extends well beyond the coast. Due to Helene’s anticipated fast forward speed, “damaging and life-threatening wind gusts are expected to penetrate well inland over portions of the southeastern United States, including in the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.” As a result, the hurricane warning extends well inland from the coast.

Storm surge predictions are equally alarming. Some areas along the Florida Big Bend coast could see storm surge heights of up to 20 feet above ground level. The NHC stresses that “there is a danger of life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Florida Big Bend”.

For residents in the path of Hurricane Helene, immediate action is crucial. “Residents in those areas should follow advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so,” the NHC forecast warns.

Hurricane Helene is also affecting offshore oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

According to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, as of the latest reports 17 production platforms (4.58% of the total) have been evacuated. One non-dynamically positioned rig (20% of this type) has been evacuated, and three dynamically positioned rigs (14.3% of the total) have moved out of the storm’s path. Safety procedures have been activated, including shutting in production by closing underwater safety valves. As a result, approximately 29.18% of oil production and 16.85% of natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in.

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