Hurricane Helene to Hit Florida's Big Bend

Hurricane Helene, now a Category 4 storm, is expected to make landfall in Florida's Big Bend area on Thursday night, bringing dangerous winds up to 155 mph and storm surges of 15 to 20 feet. Evacuation orders and flood warnings are in effect across Florida, with impacts expected to stretch from Florida to the Carolinas, Tennessee, and the Midwest over the next few days. Emergency response teams, including Missouri Task Force 1 and Massachusetts Task Force 1, are being deployed to assist in affected areas. The storm's heavy rainfall and high winds could lead to flash flooding, mudslides, and widespread power outages, with preparations underway even in inland areas like Plains, Georgia. Residents in the storm's path are advised to take precautions, including marking personal information on their bodies for identification in case of rescues. The National Weather Service has issued multiple advisories, highlighting the catastrophic potential of the storm as it progresses northward.