"Gargantuan" Hurricane Helene could provide "catastrophic and fatal storm surge" to portions of Florida Gulf Coast

"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 eastern Gulf of Mexico towards a forecast Thursday night or early Friday morning landfall around Florida's Massive Bend Coastline and it is "predicted to bring 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 of your Florida Large Bend coast, the place inundation could access as high as 20 feet previously mentioned ground stage, along with destructive waves. There is certainly also a Threat of lifetime-threatening storm surge together the rest with the west Coastline of your Florida Peninsula. People in those locations must stick to tips presented by community officers and evacuate if advised to do so."