VOA News | Wednesday, September  25, 2024 
Tropical Storm Helene expected to become a hurricane; Florida residents begin evacuating

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Tropical Storm Helene formed Tuesday in the Caribbean Sea and could strengthen into a major hurricane while moving north toward the U.S., forecasters said. Heavy rains and big waves already lashed the Cayman Islands, and some Florida residents began to evacuate or fill sandbags days ahead of anticipated flooding. Hurricane watches were issued for parts of Cuba, Mexico and a stretch of the Florida coastline, including Tampa Bay, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. A tropical storm warning was issued for parts of the Florida Keys. The storm was 280 kilometers (175 miles) south of the western tip of Cuba, had sustained winds of 75 kph (45 mph) and was moving northwest at 19 kph (12 mph). It was expected to strengthen into Hurricane Helene on Wednesday as it approached the Gulf Coast and could become a major hurricane Thursday. In the U.S., federal authorities are positioning generators, food and water, along with search-and-rescue and power restoration teams, White House spokesperson Jeremy Edwards said. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency Monday ahead of the storm’s arrival on the state’s Gulf Coast as soon as late Thursday and increased the counties included in the high-risk area Tuesday from 41 to 61. Florida A&M University postponed its upcoming college football game against Alabama A&M. “Now is the time to start preparing. If you’re in an evacuation zone, you should…Read more