US declares state of emergency in Florida ahead of Hurricane Helene

The President has authorized federal assistance to supplement state and local responses. This move allows the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts to alleviate suffering and damage.

Image provided by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows a cluster of storms south of the Cayman Islands on September 23 and forecast to strengthen in the coming days.

According to The Guardian , citing an announcement by US weather officials on September 24, Hurricane Helene has developed in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico on September 25. Experts warn that Hurricane Helene could become a Category 3 or even Category 4 storm and strike Florida on September 26.

On September 23, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 41 counties, then expanded it to 20 more counties, bringing the total number of counties under emergency declaration to 61 in preparation for the approaching Hurricane Helene.

Rescue workers in Florida (USA) prepare sandbags on September 24 before Hurricane Helene makes landfall.

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in some areas, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Voluntary evacuations have been ordered in other counties. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned of strong winds making landfall in parts of the southeastern US, with the potential for flash flooding and urban flooding after Helene makes landfall.

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Florida, is urging residents to seriously consider the possibility of having to evacuate.

Outside the US, officials in the British overseas territory of the Cayman Islands have also ordered school and airport closures as forecasters warn Helene will bring strong winds, heavy rain and waves up to 3 metres high.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/my-ban-bo-tinh-trang-khan-cap-o-florida-truoc-bao-helene-185240925072158419.htm