The southeastern part of Cape Coral, Florida, faced intense winds on Thursday, possibly linked to a tornado, due to the outer bands of Hurricane Helene, which continues to batter the area.
Meteorologist Matt Devitt announced on Facebook that a tornado warning has been issued for the entire southwest Florida region. In a video shared by Devitt, the destruction caused by the strong winds is evident, with wooden debris torn from homes and scattered across the neighborhood.
Meanwhile, Meteorologist Molly McCollum posted a video on the social media platform X, showcasing flooding in downtown Sarasota. Additionally, radio host Mike Gallagher shared footage of his commute on X, describing how Tampa Bay began to churn in anticipation of Hurricane Helene. "Tampa Bay is starting to get a bit angry this morning as Helene approaches," Gallagher noted, showing the turbulent waters.
Hurricane Helene's Path and Potential Impact
Hurricane Helene, which hit both the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and western Cuba on Wednesday, is now heading towards Florida. According to Univision, there are warnings that the storm could strengthen and cause severe damage as it approaches.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the U.S. predicts that Helene may intensify to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on Florida's northwest coast, particularly in the Big Bend area. Experts have also forecasted storm surges reaching up to 20 feet, prompting evacuations to safer locations. Schools have been closed and states of emergency declared throughout the southeastern United States.
Current Status of Hurricane Helene
As of Thursday morning, Hurricane Helene had reached Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, posing a significant threat as it nears Florida's shores.