STORY: :: Storm researchers fly into the calm eye of Hurricane Helene as it barrels toward Florida
:: September 25, 2024
:: Nick Underwood, NOAA
:: The clear skies and light winds of the eye contrast with the turbulent outer bands of the hurricane
Aboard the NOAA aircraft, crew member Nick Underwood captured footage of the storm’s inner workings, revealing the stark contrast between Helene’s tranquil center and its turbulent outer bands. The eye, a phenomenon characterized by clear skies and light winds, stood in stark contrast to the intense storms and strong winds swirling around it.
Helene roared across the Gulf of Mexico, picking up power from the warm ocean water. It is forecast to make landfall in Florida’s panhandle Thursday (September 26) evening, packing sustained wind speeds of up to 156 miles per hour, forecasters said.
Officials issued dire warnings, pleading with residents in coastal areas along the hurricane’s path to evacuate ahead of catastrophic winds and a potentially deadly storm surge, the wall of seawater pushed on land by hurricane-force winds, that could rise to 20 feet in some spots.
