### Hurricane Helene Gains Strength, Threatens Florida's Big Bend

Hurricane Helene intensified as it moved away from the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday, setting its sights on Florida's Big Bend region. Meteorologists predict the storm will grow even stronger while traversing the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

With maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, Helene is currently classified as a Category 1 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Predictions indicate it could escalate to a Category 3 hurricane, carrying sustained winds over 110 mph. "Significant strengthening is expected over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, potentially taking this to a Category 3 or major hurricane," Jamie Rhome, deputy director at the hurricane center, shared with CBS News.

The impact of a major hurricane could be severe. The National Hurricane Center cautioned that well-built framed homes might suffer substantial damage, with instances of roof decking being stripped away. Numerous trees could be snapped or uprooted, resulting in blocked roads. Electricity and water services might be unavailable for several days or even weeks post-storm.

Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, addressed the potential aftermath, noting that thousands of lineworkers were already mobilizing to assist with power restoration. "It is anticipated that there is going to be power outages, so folks have an opportunity to plan for that now," DeSantis said. "You still have time to make the preparations and put your plan in place today, but that time is running out."

The National Hurricane Center issued warnings of "life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains" affecting large portions of Florida and the southeastern United States. In the Big Bend area south of Tallahassee, water levels could reach 12-18 feet above ground if the storm surge peaks during high tide. Other regions could experience 3-12 feet of inundation.

Rhome emphasized the deadly risks posed by water impacts. "The water impacts are probably going to be the most impactful part of the storm, the most deadly part of the storm," he said.

Precautionary watches and warnings have been issued throughout Florida. Both President Biden and Governor DeSantis declared emergencies earlier in the week, leading to evacuation orders in multiple counties. The University of Tampa is evacuating residential students in anticipation of the hurricane's arrival.

Helene is expected to make landfall on Thursday and is predicted to affect regions beyond Florida. Rhome expressed concerns for southern Georgia, urging residents to brace for significant impacts. Residents along Florida's west coast have begun proactive measures, such as boarding up windows, refueling vehicles, and filling sandbags.

In Tallahassee, Dorothy Richardson is preparing to shelter in place with her grandchildren, while Russell King contemplates evacuating his Mexico Beach home, which had previously sustained damage from Hurricane Michael in 2018.

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey reported that additional crews from other states are arriving to assist with power restoration and aid distribution. "This is my hometown. We have never seen a storm of this magnitude that could possibly be a direct hit to Tallahassee," Dailey remarked.

In Tampa, officials have installed a makeshift wall outside Tampa General Hospital to block potential floodwaters, recalling how a similar barrier held back water during Hurricane Idalia last year.

The Gulf of Mexico's record-warm waters, reaching temperatures as high as 89 degrees Fahrenheit, are expected to fuel the storm's intensification. Experts at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School and Climate Central attribute these elevated temperatures significantly to human-driven climate change, further exacerbating the storm's potential strength and impact. As Florida braces for the storm, areas across the state are already seeing significant rainfall.