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Hurricane Helene (2024)

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This article is about the 2024 Atlantic storm. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Helene.

Hurricane Helene
Helene strengthening while passing by the Yucatan Peninsula on September 25
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 24, 2024
Category 1 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds80 mph (130 km/h)
Lowest pressure979 mbar (hPa); 28.91 inHg
Overall effects
Areas affectedYucatan Peninsula, Cayman Islands, Cuba
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Helene is a currently strengthening tropical cyclone in the Caribbean Sea, forecast to impact the Gulf Coast of the United States. The eighth named storm and fifth hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, it developed from a broad area of low pressure in the Western Caribbean Sea on September 24.

Meteorological history

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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On September 17, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) highlighted the potential for tropical cyclogenesis in the western Caribbean Sea.[1] Several days later, on September 22, a broad low-pressure area developed within the western Caribbean.[2] As the system traversed an environment conducive for tropical cyclone development,[3] showers and thunderstorms associated with the disturbance gradually consolidated.[4] Due to the system's imminent threat to land, it was designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine on September 23.[5] The next day, Air Force reserve hurricane hunters aircraft found that the system was producing flight-level winds of 52 mph (84 km/h) and had developed a better-defined center; the NHC accordingly upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Helene at 15:00 UTC.[6]

The system continued strengthening, and due to NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters finding that Helene's maximum winds had increased to 80 mph (130 km/h), the next day, NHC upgraded the system to a hurricane.[7]

Preparations

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Mexico

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Tropical storm warnings were issued on September 23 for the eastern Yucatan Peninsula.[8] Parts of Quintana Roo and Yucatán were placed under a blue alert.[9] Cruise ship arrivals in the former state's ports were canceled for September 24 and 25.[10] On Isla Mujeres, two shelters were opened.[11] Visitors of Isla Holbox were offered a ferry ride off the island with no cost.[12]

Caribbean

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Cayman Islands

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The Cayman Islands were placed under a tropical storm warning on September 24.[13] The Cayman Islands' Red Cross shelter opened in preparation for the storm,[13][14] nobody used it.[15] Sandbagging sites opened on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.[14] Due to the threat of heavy rainfall, schools in the Cayman Islands were closed on September 23.[16] Charles Kirkconnell International Airport and Owen Roberts International Airport would be closed ahead of Helene's arrival.[10] The Cayman Islands Regiment was deployed ahead of the system to help with preparation and distribute sandbags. Additionally, a small craft warning was issued for the islands on September 23, with a marine advisory issued the next day.[17] The tropical storm warning would later be cancelled the next day.[15]

Cuba

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Tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches were issued for western Cuba.[8] Medical brigades were prepared for flood prone areas.[18] authorities to shut down schools, close ports and recall fishing boats.[19] Due to adverse weather conditions caused by Helene, the Provincial Transport Company of Havana would suspend ferry services in Regla. Additionally, the Maritime Administration of Cuba suspended navigation in the Gulf of Batabanó.[20]

United States

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Florida

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Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University sheltering part of its Cessna 172 fleet in a purpose-built parking garage in preparation for Hurricane Helene.

On September 23, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 41 counties.[21] The next day, this was expanded to 61 counties.[10] U.S. President Joe Biden authorized a federal disaster declaration for 61 counties across Florida.[22] Locally, Volusia County issued a state of emergency.[23] Several sandbagging sites opened up across the state.[24][25] On September 24, several state parks would be closed: four of them in Franklin County, two in Gulf County, and one in Gadsen County.[26] In the Tampa Bay Area, officials announced that schools would be closed ahead of the storm.[27] A college football game between Florida A&M University and Alabama A&M University, which was scheduled for the weekend of September 28–29, would be postponed until November 29 due to the storm.[28][29] In Florida State College at Jacksonville, classes and activities at the campus would be cancelled for two days.[30] The SpaceX Crew-9 mission, which would have launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on September 26, was delayed due to the storm.[10][31] The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens planned to close on September 26 and cancelled events on that date.[32] The universities of Florida, Florida A&M, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida State, and South Florida announced closures of their campuses and suspended academic operations.[33]

On September 24, Citrus County would issue mandatory evacuations for zone A, which includes coastal areas in the communities of Crystal River and Homosassa. In Wakulla County, a mandatory evacuation for all residents and visitors, while in ​Hernando County, mandatory evacuations were ordered for anyone west of U.S. Route 19 and all residents in coastal or low-lying areas and those living in manufactured homes. Gulf County would issue mandatory evacuations for all visitors. Elsewhere, in Charlotte County and Franklin County, mandatory evacuations were issued for barrier islands, low-lying and flood-prone areas, manufactured homes, and homes that did not meet building codes.[10] In Sarasota County, officials issued an evacuation order for Level A and manufactured home communities on September 25.[34]

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be closed on September 26.[35]

Georgia

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On September 24, in preparation for Helene, officials in the counties of Bryan, Candler, and Chatham began mobilizing emergency response centers.[36] That same day, Governor Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency for Georgia since Helene was expected to track into the state.[37] In Thomas County, the Public Works Department began providing sandbags due to the storm.[38] On September 25, schools would be closed in the counties of Bibb and Twiggs.[39] Elsewhere, in Clayton County schools, indoor and outdoor athletic events would be cancelled.[40]

Impact

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Caribbean

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Cayman Islands

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Heavy rainfall and large waves began affecting the Cayman Islands on September 24.[41] These caused 14 power outages, affecting 118 customers across Grand Cayman.[15]

Cuba

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In Cuba, heavy rainfall occurred, with peak accumulations of 218.4 mm (8.60 in) recorded in Presa Herradura and 186.8 mm (7.35 in) in Palacios.[42] Elsewhere, Punta del Este and Isla de la Juventud received 101 mm (4.0 in), Paso Real de San Diego received 78 mm (3.1 in), Pinar del Río received 72 mm (2.8 in), and Isabel Rubio received 70 mm (2.8 in).[43] In Pinar del Río Province, 17 of the province's 24 reservoirs would overflow. Elsewhere, in El Palenque, road access would be cut off due to flooding caused by Helene.[42]

Florida

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Treasure Coast

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Despite not directly affecting the region during September 24 and 25, increased tropical moisture associated with Helene would exacerbate heavy rainfall throughout the Treasure Coast.[44]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Blake, Eric (September 17, 2024). Seven-Day Graphical Tropical Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  2. ^ Reinhart, Brad (September 22, 2024). Seven-Day Graphical Tropical Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  3. ^ Kelly, Larry (September 23, 2024). Seven-Day Graphical Tropical Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  4. ^ Reinhart, Brad (September 23, 2024). Seven-Day Graphical Tropical Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  5. ^ Reinhart, Brad (September 23, 2024). Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Discussion Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  6. ^ Berg, Robbie (September 24, 2024). Tropical Storm Helene Discussion Number 5 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  7. ^ Berg, Robbie (September 25, 2024). Tropical Storm Helene Advisory Number 9 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Reinhart, Brad (September 23, 2024). "Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Intermediate Advisory Number 1A". National Hurricane Center. Miami, Florida. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  9. ^ Castro, Gerardo (September 23, 2024). "Tormenta Tropical Helene: Activan la Alerta Azul en municipios de Yucatán". Por Esto! (in Spanish). Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e Childs, Jan Wesner; Harris, Tim; Straker, Renee (September 24, 2024). "Florida Hurricane Evacuations, Schools Closed For Helene". The Weather Channel. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  11. ^ "Cancun prepared for the passing of Hurricane Helene". Riviera Maya News. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  12. ^ "Tropical Storm Helene puts Yucatán Peninsula on alert". Mexico News Daily. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Ragoonath, Reshma (September 24, 2024). "Grand Cayman placed under tropical storm warning". Cayman Compass. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Cayman placed under storm warning as TC9 nears - Cayman Islands Headline News". Cayman News Service. September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c Connolly, Norma; Ragoonath, Reshma (September 24, 2024). "Cayman confronts floods from Helene, as tropical storm warning lifted". Cayman Compass. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  16. ^ "Schools closed Monday as public warned to expect flooding". Cayman Compass. September 21, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  17. ^ Ragoonath, Reshma; Bridge, Sarah (September 24, 2024). "Cayman prepares for potential flooding". Cayman Compass. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  18. ^ "Cuba adopta medidas en su región occidental ante la tormenta tropical Helene". infobae (in European Spanish). September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  19. ^ Sherwood, Dabve (September 24, 2024). "Cuba, Florida brace for impact as Tropical Storm Helene barrels north". Reuters. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  20. ^ "Havana suspends the Regla ferry service due to Hurricane Helene". CiberCuba. September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  21. ^ "Hurricane watch issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico, southeast U.S. under major storm warning". CTVNews. September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  22. ^ Marlene Lethang (September 25, 2024). "Tropical Storm Helene live updates: 'Life-threatening' storm surge to hit Florida's west coast in next 36 hours". NBC News. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  23. ^ Jackson, Clayton (September 24, 2024). "State of emergency declared for Volusia County as storm preparations continue". Observer Local News. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  24. ^ "Sandbag sites open across Bay Area in preparation for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine". FOX 13 News. September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  25. ^ Johnson, Dacia (September 24, 2024). "Where to find sandbags in Central Florida". WESH. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  26. ^ "Closures and cancellations ahead of Helene". WJHG. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  27. ^ "LIST: Tropical Storm Helene school closures". WFTS. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  28. ^ "FAMU postpones upcoming home game against Alabama A&M because of threat of Helene". The Derrick. The Associated Press. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  29. ^ Jones, Judson; Blinder, Alan (September 24, 2024). "Florida Prepares Warily as Tropical Storm Helene Brews in the Caribbean". New York Times. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  30. ^ "Helene: Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia school closure information". Action News Jax. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  31. ^ Pallone, Greg; Leone, Anthony (September 24, 2024). "NASA watching Helene as Crew 9 launch approaches". Spectrum News 13. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  32. ^ Josh Frigerio (September 24, 2024). "Tropical Storm Helene: Do Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens close?". Fox35 Orlando. Yahoo News. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  33. ^ "Florida State, Florida A&M, FGCU, USF, UF cancel classes and close campuses due to Hurricane Helene". WSVN 7. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  34. ^ Razzano, Tiffany (September 24, 2024). "Evacuations Planned In Sarasota County Ahead Of Helene: Officials". Patch. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  35. ^ "Busch Gardens closes for Hurricane Helene". FOX 13 News. September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  36. ^ Speck, Emilee (September 24, 2024). "Georgia on alert as Helene expected to bring widespread impacts after crashing into Florida". FOX Weather. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  37. ^ "Live Helene updates: Watches issued in Georgia as governor declares state of emergency". FOX 5 Atlanta. September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  38. ^ Allen, Lenah (September 24, 2024). "Thomas Co. Public Works providing sand bags ahead of potential hurricane". WALB. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  39. ^ Lewis, Myracle (September 25, 2024). "See what schools are closed, delayed as Middle Georgia braces for Hurricane Helene". Macon Telegraph. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  40. ^ "Hurricane Helene: List of school closings, after-school activities canceled in north Georgia". WSB-TV. September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  41. ^ Coto, Dánica (September 24, 2024). "Heavy rains pelt the Cayman Islands as southeast US prepares for a major hurricane". AP News. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  42. ^ a b "Heavy rains, gusty winds, and flooding in Pinar del Río due to Hurricane Helene". CiberCuba. September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  43. ^ Robinson, Circles (September 25, 2024). "Hurricane Helene Nears Yucatan Channel en Route to Florida". Havana Times. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  44. ^ Arwood, Corey (September 25, 2024). "Hurricane Helene: What to know Wednesday for Treasure Coast ahead of storm". TCPalm. Treasure Coast Newspapers. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
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