"Gargantuan" Hurricane Helene could bring "catastrophic and lethal storm surge" to parts of Florida Gulf Coastline

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

Hurricane Helene is strengthening mainly because it moves over the eastern Gulf of Mexico toward a forecast Thursday night or early Friday morning landfall more than Florida's Significant Bend Coast and it is "predicted to deliver catastrophic winds and storm surge to the northeastern Gulf Coast," the Countrywide Hurricane Center claimed early Thursday. "Preparations to protect everyday living and property ought to be rushed to completion," the center urged.

The National Weather Service warned in a post on X that, "A catastrophic and lethal storm surge is likely along parts of your Florida Significant Bend Coastline, wherever inundation could arrive at as significant as 20 ft above ground stage, in addition to damaging waves. There exists also a Hazard of everyday living-threatening storm surge together the rest of the west Coastline of the Florida Peninsula. Residents in those locations must observe assistance supplied by community officials and evacuate if informed to take action."