Hurricane Helene has been upgraded to a major Category 4 Storm as it heads towards land.
Update 6:20 PM EDT Thurs: Helene now an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 26, 2024
A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft currently investigating Helene recently found that the maximum sustained winds have increased to 130 mph (215 km/h). The minimum central pressure has also decreased… pic.twitter.com/8rqqf6fp38
According to reports by the Associated Press, the hurricane could reach winds over 130 mph that can severely damage homes, snap trees and down power lines.
Photos: Floridians prepare for Hurricane Helene
As of 7:00 p.m. nearly 300,000 power outages were reported in Florida. There were over 15,000 power outages in North Carolina and over 11,000 in Georgia.
RELATED COVERAGE >>> More deadly than wind, storm surge from Hurricane Helene could be devastating
A storm surge warning was issued for almost all of Florida’s west coast and a state of emergency was issued for 61 of the state’s 67 counties, NBC News reports.
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