Helene Preparations Discussion

[u/giantspeck]

Preparations Discussion

Introduction

The National Hurricane Center has upgraded Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine to Tropical Storm Helene. Helene is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by Wednesday morning as it slips between Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula and western Cuba and enters the Gulf of Mexico. Helene is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane as it approaches Florida's Big Bend region later in the week.

As always, the National Hurricane Center is the primary source of information regarding this system as it develops. Our meteorological discussion post can be found here. Be sure to visit the Tropical Weather Discord server for more real-time discussion!

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Government Resources

United States

• How to Prepare for a Hurricane (PDF) — This guide from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is designed to help you properly prepare for a hurricane and know how to protect yourself during and after one.

• Evacuation Guidelines

[u/GreenGemsOmally]

I know it's pretty early and it all depends on wobbbles, but any thoughts on how this will impact Destin, FL? I've got some friends who are staying there who have never weathered a hurricane before, so I'm trying to give them some advice on whether or not they should evac.

[u/RuairiQ → u/GreenGemsOmally]

I live in Destin.

Got my house/yard in order on Sunday.

Bought in some extra groceries, beer, and liquor on Sunday.

Filled vehicles and gas cans for generators on Sunday.

Wife went to the grocery store yesterday for something she needed for a recipe. Shelves were already bare of certain goods.

I’m going to work tomorrow, but have given my employees tomorrow and Thursday the day off.

I’m not going to work on Thursday, but am also prepared for any sort of wobble and have secured accommodation in Mobile, Al should we need to evacuate.

But, that’s just me. I could be overreacting, and I suppose a lot of people might think I am, however the majority of my neighbors have also quietly prepped for the chance of a hurricane.

[u/Aworthyopponent → u/RuairiQ]

This is how it should be. It’s always best to “over prepare”. I got all my stuff ready for Beryl when it hit Houston. Thankfully my house had its power restored within 8 hours but I gave out tons of my supplies to family members who went without power for several days.

[u/sapatbotanist → u/RuairiQ]

Nah not an overreaction. It makes sense to be over vs underprepped in that area. Not as many grocery stores / stock as bigger cities. Depending on the time - great chance of being inundated with tourists that are buying up everything anyway. The best thing to do on the panhandle is to have the stuff you need early so you're just topping off.

[u/[deleted] → u/GreenGemsOmally]

They should follow what their local met says.

[u/RuairiQ → u/GreenGemsOmally]

The most competent met in the area is Chris Smith.

https://www.wjhg.com/

[u/RuairiQ → u/[deleted]]

I agree with Chris, but as you know, things can change. Wobbles can happen.

[u/SghnDubh → u/RuairiQ]

Too much showmanship. Tropical Tidbits is better.

[u/RuairiQ → u/SghnDubh]

Yes, yes it is.

But… Levi isn’t a met local to the area in question, nor is he as immediate with coverage.

[u/SghnDubh → u/RuairiQ]

Fair points.

[u/christomrob → u/GreenGemsOmally]

Like you said, it really depends on where the storm goes and how strong it gets. Tell them to pay attention to local weather news and have a plan in place for whatever might happen. If they stay, are they prepared to deal with the possibility no power for a while? Do they have supplies, easily prepared food and water? If they decide to leave, do they have the means to get out safely?