Residents in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas are urged to finalize their preparations as Hurricane Helene approaches. The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) reports that the hurricane is expected to make landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast on Thursday, September 26.
Helene, which became a tropical storm in the southwest Caribbean Sea earlier today, is the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season and fifth hurricane. It will be the fourth tropical cyclone to make landfall in the U.S. this year and the second in Florida. Previously, Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on August 5.
If current forecasts hold, Helene would be the third major hurricane to strike Florida within 24 months. Previous storms include Hurricane Ian (Category 4) on September 28, 2022, and Hurricane Idalia (Category 3) on August 30, 2023. Overall, it would be the ninth major hurricane to hit Florida since 2004.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued various watches for parts of Florida including Fort Myers, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, and Tampa Bay. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency for 41 of Florida’s counties to ensure resources are available for response efforts. Evacuations have also been ordered for some coastal communities along the Gulf Coast.
“The storm is forecast to slowly intensify today and rapidly intensify tomorrow and Thursday as it approaches the northeastern Gulf Coast,” said Triple-I non-resident scholar Phil Klotzbach from Colorado State University in a video update. “Helene is forecast to become a hurricane tomorrow and a major hurricane on Thursday before making landfall.”
Klotzbach added that significant threats include storm surge with predictions of up to 15 feet for parts of Big Bend and up to eight feet for Tampa Bay. Rainfall could reach up to one foot in some areas of Southeast U.S.
The NHC warns that impacts could include damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding, isolated tornadoes, and widespread power outages extending into Southern Appalachians and Tennessee Valley.
Triple-I offers several preparedness tips:
- Review evacuation plans including those for pets.
- Ensure your hurricane kit includes at least a two-week supply of non-perishable food and water.
- Write down contact information for your insurer.
- Purchase emergency supplies such as batteries and flashlights.
- Fully charge cell phones.
- Prepare yards by securing outdoor items.
- Fill vehicle gasoline tanks.
According to Triple-I:
- Wind-caused property damage is covered under standard insurance policies.
- Flood-related damages require specific flood insurance policies from FEMA or private insurers.
- Vehicle damage from wind or flooding falls under comprehensive auto insurance coverage if purchased.
Additional resources provided by Triple-I include videos on hurricane insurance guides and articles about preparing evacuation plans among others.