WARNING: Helene strengthens to dangerous Category 4 hurricane as it nears Florida Coast, DeSantis has thousands of linemen waiting [Videos]

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From the Associated Press: Hurricane Helene strengthened into a Category 4 storm ahead of its expected landfall on Florida’s northwest coast Thursday night as forecasters warned that the enormous system could create a “nightmare” storm surge and bring dangerous winds and rain across much of the southeastern U.S.

Helene prompted hurricane and flash flood warnings extending far beyond the coast up into northern Georgia and western North Carolina. Strong winds already cut power to over 320,000 homes and businesses in Florida, according to the tracking site poweroutage.us. The governors of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas and Virginia all declared emergencies in their states.

The hurricane was about 115 miles (190 kilometers) south of Tallahassee, Florida, and had sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Accelerating through the Gulf of Mexico, it was moving north-northeast at 23 mph (37 kph), and life-threatening storm surges of up to 20 feet (6 meters) were expected in the Big Bend area of Florida.

Hurricane warnings and flash flood warnings extended far beyond the coast up into northern Georgia and western North Carolina, with heavy rains and strong winds reported in much of Georgia Thursday evening.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced: “Hurricane Helene is going to make landfall this evening in the Big Bend, but dangerous conditions will be present throughout the rest of the state—even outside the forecast cone. To stay safe from hazards like debris, downed power lines, and standing water, do not try to do any work in the dark tonight. State and local emergency management officials are ready to assist seniors and others in need of help clearing debris after the storm passes.”

According to multiple posts on social media, Gov. DeSantis has thousands of electric linemen in place, ready to go to work to restore power once the hurricane has passed through.

DeSantis announced Tuesday, “We already have nearly 18,000 linemen staged (and more en route), and are ready with search and rescue and roadway clearing crews.”

The Florida Highway Patrol in Tampa posted a video and warned motorists to stay off the roads.

Meanwhile, someone couldn’t pass up an opportunity for a Trump “boat parade.”

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Department posted a sobering reminder: “If you or someone you know chose not to evacuate, PLEASE write your, Name, birthday and important information on your arm or leg in A PERMANENT MARKER so that you can be identified and family notified.”

Taylor County is where the eye of the storm is predicted to hit when it makes landfall.

A video posted to social media shows dangerous floodwaters already in Siesta Key, Florida, near Sarasota.

In St Pete Beach Florida, the first floor units and parking garage are already submerged with the floodwaters.

Another video shows flooded streets in Madeira Beach, west of Tampa.

At the exact same time Hurricane Helene is about to crash into the coast of Florida, Hurricane John is hitting western Mexico.

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