Hurricane Helene Triggers Widespread Closures and Evacuations

Hurricane Helene, projected to make landfall as a Category 4 storm with winds up to 156 mph, is causing widespread closures and evacuations across Florida and neighboring states. Over 40 million people are at risk, with significant storm surges and flash flooding expected, particularly in the Apalachee Bay area. Schools across South Florida, including Broward, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties, are closed, with further disruptions in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Airports in St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, and Tampa are also set to close. Emergency preparations and evacuations are underway, and various animal facilities, including Busch Gardens and ZooTampa, have moved animals to stormproof buildings. States of emergency have been declared in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.