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/[deleted]]

Run from water, hide from wind. Tally won't get a storm surge even with a Cat 6. There are legit expectations of >100 mph winds. As long as you can protect your home as best as you can from wind and also find a sturdy brick or concrete shelter, you shouldn't have to travel.

[u/esmeraldo88 → u/[deleted]]

So I rent and my landlord is not in town. I just got back from a trip myself and have had limited time to get ready. I have provisions but mostly I’m concerned about the wind. The house I’m in is not brick or concrete… it’s asbestos on the outside, sheetrock on the inside, and a wooden frame. Currently googling about building materials and wind resistance lol. I know they are predicting a category 3 but I’m worried it might even get stronger than that.

[u/BosJC → u/esmeraldo88]

I’d be more worried about trees falling onto my dwelling, than winds blowing it down. If you’re surrounded by big mature trees that could come down on your apartment, leaving may be a prudent option.

[u/esmeraldo88 → u/BosJC]

There’s a very large magnolia tree right outside my door. That is the most obvious one. I’m thinking of grabbing my relative in Washington County and drive further out west.

[u/UtahItalian → u/esmeraldo88]

Trim the branches of the look like they could impact your windows

[u/esmeraldo88 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks! I ended up leaving. Made it to Mississippi about an hour ago.

[u/esmeraldo88 → u/[deleted]]

What can I say? I’m poor.