Florida: Videos and images of flooding in Tampa and Fort Myers due to Helene storm surge

Hurricane Helenewhich entered the east coast of Florida as a dangerous Category 4 hurricane and was downgraded to two after its advance. It left a trail of destruction in the wake of its sustained winds of 225 kilometers per hour. The phenomenon, which made landfall in the area of Big Bend, generated alerts of possible significant damage in the region.

The Helene storm surge began to cause flooding in areas such as tampa and Fort Myersaccording to Fox Weather. He Tallahassee National Weather Service warned of dangerous water levels in the bay Apalacheewith estimates that could reach up to 6.1 meters, in some areas due to the great size and strength of the hurricane.

In particular, the county of Citrus, Floridais in a precarious situation due to Helene’s storm surge. Mandatory evacuations have been implemented in the area and the county sheriff, Mike Prendergastshared information about the current situation in an interview with Fox Weather.

Helene’s impact on Florida will not be limited to the coast of the Gulf. Millions of residents across the region are in the hurricane’s projected path, which has led to mandatory evacuations in several counties. According to Fox Weatherwater is expected to rise up to 2.4 meters above the normal high tide line in densely populated areas, such as the Bay of tampaif the maximum increase occurs during high tide.

Images of the floods show the seriousness of the situation. In NaplesFor example, conditions have worsened rapidly. Waves have begun to overflow onto streets and residential areas due to storm surge, according to Fox Weather.

Tourism has also been affected, with closures announced at theme parks such as Disney World and Universal Orlando. This is primarily due to the risks associated with the storm surge and strong winds that accompany Helene.

Bay Area Bridges tampa They already have floods, according to CNBC. Although the hurricane is still hundreds of kilometers from the coast, its effects are being felt intensely. The waves produced by the natural phenomenon have splashed the railings of the bridge Howard Franklandcomplicating vehicular traffic in the region.

The data on power outages is also worrying. According to a state outage map, more than 100,000 customers were left without power in Florida as Helene approaches the mainland. The most affected counties are Miami-Dade, Sarasota, Collier, charlotte and Leeaccording to CNBC.

The bridge Sunshine Skywaywhich connects the counties of Pinellas and Manatee in the lower bay of tampawas closed this afternoon at Florida Highway Patroldue to winds of up to 97 kilometers per hour and deteriorating weather conditions. The agency advised motorists to seek alternative routes and avoid flooded roads unless absolutely necessary, it said. CNBC.

In Fort Myers Beachcounty sheriff Lee, Carmine Marcenoshared videos of waters pooling along the coast, as residents prepare for the imminent impact. The rising water has already begun on Thursday morning, and is expected to increase with the arrival of the tide, according to Fox Weather.