With the approach of Hurricane Helene, much concern has been raised for Florida; however, unusually noteworthy is the fact that weeks in advance of landfall, the state has already begun to experience early flooding in many areas. Uncharacteristic water levels throughout the state have Floridians dealing with unexpected water levels, and many wonder what exactly is causing this.
This large hurricane, due to make landfall later in the week, has brought copious amounts of rain with high tides, flooding literally scores of coastal and low-lying areas. The flooding, according to weather forecasters, so relatively early, is the action not only of the size of the storm but its slow movement and the high tides it is bringing with it due to the lunar cycle.
What we're seeing is a perfect storm in terms of timing and conditions," said Dr. Amanda Colby, a lead climatologist with the National Weather Service. "Helene is massive, as far as breadth is concerned, and has pulled in a lot of moisture that's precipitating out even before the eye approaches land."
The lunar phase makes the high tides naturally higher, and they have been referred to as "king tides." For that reason, these tides are making things worse by pushing more water onto the land. The state had prepared for the direct impact of Helene, but the scale and timing of the early flooding seemed to catch many off guard.
Places like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa are reporting street flooding, highway closures, and flooded drainage systems. Authorities in the area are fighting against time to pump out the excess water and help flooded neighborhoods.
On the whole, the Florida Department of Emergency Management called on all citizens to be vigilant and follow through on any calls that may be made for evacuations. They have identified that though the storm has not hit land as yet, the hazards presented by the pre-floods are serious enough to require caution.
Businesses right along the coast have closed, and schools in the affected areas have temporarily closed. Food stores have been plunged into a rush of people as they stock up on essentials, expecting conditions to worsen with Helene getting closer.
The economic consequence of this early flooding is also huge: Floridian Governor John Scott has declared a state of emergency, mobilizing state resources to assist with the flood mitigation efforts and in preparing for possible evacuations. The insurance industry is bracing for an onslaught of claims related to flood damage, which is expected to run into billions of dollars.
The experts, however, still continue to monitor the situation closely and let the public know through regular updates. They explain how it is important not to focus on just the expected landfall but, in fact, be wary of these unexpected weather events that can cause equal destruction.
As Helene travels through to Florida, she remains a precursor to the mercurial and often violent nature of hurricane behavior and implores communities to prepare not just for the storm itself but for its pre-emptive impacts.
Follow the updates for information and resonate in solidarity with the affected communities as a way of offering support during this trying period.
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Author: Peter Collins
