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Florida’s Gulf Coast prepares for the future Helene

Preparations are underway in communities along the U.S. Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida as Invest 97L becomes increasingly organized in the Caribbean and is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene in the coming days.

TALLAHASSEE, Florida. – Residents and politicians along Florida's Gulf Coast and Panhandle are wasting no time preparing for the next tropical threat to target the Gulf Coast, with Tropical Storm or Hurricane Helene likely to form this week.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine continues to gain strength as it heads toward the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center is warning millions of people across the Gulf Coast region to prepare for potential impacts that could be felt as early as Wednesday.

Whether a tropical storm or hurricane, the system will bring dangerous rip currents, life-threatening storm surges, destructive winds and heavy rainfall to Florida's west coast.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Monday declaring a state of emergency in 41 counties in the Sunshine State to help authorities prepare for the storm.

“We will continue to monitor the path of the storm and keep Floridians informed. Now is the time to create an emergency plan, know your evacuation zone and be as prepared as possible for the storm,” DeSantis said on X.

This image shows Florida residents filling sandbags in the coming days before Helene's likely arrival. Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine was designated in the Caribbean on Monday, September 23, 2024, and the system is expected to strengthen into a hurricane this week on its way to the U.S. Gulf Coast.

(@LeonCounty/ X)

In Leon County, home to Florida's capital city of Tallahassee, residents are being offered sandbags to protect themselves from torrential rain and flooding. Tallahassee City Council is also making other preparations for the impending storm.

The Florida Panhandle has already been hit hard

The Florida Panhandle is used to devastating hurricanes and tropical storms.

  • Damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018

    A sign on a home in Mexico Beach, Florida, asks FEMA for help in November 2018, just over a month after Hurricane Michael made landfall.
    (Aaron Barker)

  • Damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018

    Piles of debris and destroyed homes line a street in Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, just over a month after Hurricane Michael made landfall.
    (Aaron Barker)

  • Damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018

    In November 2018, about a month after Hurricane Michael made landfall, piles of debris are seen along a road leading to Mexico Beach, Florida.
    (Aaron Barker)

  • Damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018

    Damage from Hurricane Michael is seen in Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, just over a month after it made landfall.
    (Aaron Barker)

  • Damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018

    Damage from Hurricane Michael is seen in Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, just over a month after it made landfall.
    (Aaron Barker)

  • Damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018

    A pile of debris is seen in Mexico Beach, Florida in November 2018, about a month after Hurricane Michael made landfall.
    (Aaron Barker)

  • Damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018

    A pile of debris is seen in front of a home in Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, about a month after Hurricane Michael made landfall.
    (Aaron Barker)

  • Damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018

    In November 2018, about a month after Hurricane Michael made landfall, debris piles up outside a home in Mexico Beach, Florida.
    (Aaron Barker)

  • Damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018

    Damage from Hurricane Michael is seen in Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, just over a month after it made landfall.
    (Aaron Barker)

  • Damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018

    Damage from Hurricane Michael is seen in Mexico Beach, Florida, in November 2018, just over a month after it made landfall.
    (Aaron Barker)

In 2018, Hurricane Michael was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Florida since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Parts of the Panhandle from Panama City Beach to Mexico Beach are still rebuilding after the storm's 140 mph winds and storm surge devastated beach towns.

Monday marks the 49th anniversary of Hurricane Eloise making landfall east of Fort Walton Beach and Destin as a major hurricane. The 1975 storm was the first major hurricane to hit the Panhandle region in 40 years, according to the National Weather Service.

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