Hurricane Helen Approaches Gulf Coast: Evacuations Underway

As Hurricane Helen approaches the Gulf Coast, residents in Tallahassee are bracing for its effects. The outer bands of the storm have already drenched the region overnight, with the main impact expected later today. Local public schools, such as Leon High School, have been converted into evacuation shelters to provide safe havens for those fleeing the coastal areas. Many residents express their concerns about safety, citing uncertainty about the storm’s strength and potential hazards. Emergency management teams are focused on evacuating vulnerable individuals, especially in the Big Bend area of Wakulla County, where life-threatening storm surges are anticipated. Currently, shelters are housing around 62-64 evacuees along with their pets. Hurricane Helen, situated over 300 miles off the coast, is intensifying as it gathers energy from warm ocean waters. With these conditions, authorities predict that the storm could reach extreme levels of devastation when it makes landfall, making preparedness and safety measures critical in this time of urgency.