'Potentially Unsurvivable' Hurricane Helene Strikes Florida

Hurricane Helene slammed into the Big Bend region of Florida Thursday night. It brought catastrophic winds, flash floods, and a massive storm surge that the National Weather Service called “potentially unsurvivable.” The storm could be one of the biggest to strike the US in a hundred years.  

Thousands of people evacuated in advance of the storm. Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 61 of the state’s 67 counties. As it had been forecast, the storm evolved into a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall. That means it had winds ranging from 136-150 miles per hour. A hurricane at that strength can destroy even the most well-built houses. It can wipe out trees in its path and snap power poles. And it can make entire neighborhoods uninhabitable for months.  

“You need to listen to your local officials,” said Deanne Criswell at a White House press briefing Thursday. She's the director of FEMA. “If they tell you to evacuate, please do so. And if they tell you to shelter in place, then that’s what you should do. Those decisions can save lives.”

The state issued mandatory evacuation orders for all residents in at least three counties. Partial evacuations were ordered in 17 others based on a number of factors. That includes how close homes are to flood zones. It also factors in types of dwellings, like mobile homes, as well as housing for elderly people.  

Helene is so big it's forecast to produce a massive wind field stretching from Washington, DC, to Indianapolis. The storm marks the fifth straight year the US has been hit by a major hurricane. That's defined as a Category 3 storm or higher. That ties a record set between 1915-1919.    

Reflect: What do you think is the most important thing to do when a big storm is on the way?