Hurricane ’Helen’ Strikes Florida

The highly dangerous Hurricane 'Helen' struck the US state of Florida on Thursday, local time. Officials have warned that the storm's devastating storm surges could be so severe that a two-storey house may be submerged.

This is one of the largest hurricanes to have formed in the Gulf of Mexico in recent decades. Over one million people are already without power, and many roads have been flooded.

The US National Hurricane Centre reported that the rapidly moving hurricane intensified into a highly dangerous Category 4 storm on Thursday. The maximum wind speed in the eye of the storm reached 140 kilometres per hour, and it hit the Big Bend area of Tallahassee, Florida. The National Hurricane Centre further stated that every resident in Florida's Big Bend region is at high risk from both the storm and flooding.

Director of the National Hurricane Centre, Mike Brennan, warned, "We anticipate storm surges of 15 to 20 feet in these areas, meaning the roof of a two-storey house could be submerged." He added that the storm's surges could rapidly rise, washing away homes and vehicles.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has urged people to heed weather warnings. He stated, "I urge everyone in the path of Hurricane Helen to follow evacuation orders. Please take this seriously and stay safe."