While initial predictions point to a normal or below-average hurricane season in the US, factors such as El Nino, rising sea temperatures, and infrastructure issues still create the potential for devastating storms and an unpredictable season.
When Floridians first heard about tropical storm Helene's rapid intensification in late September 2024, they initially anticipated the storm to hit as a Category 2 hurricane. However, on September 26, it made landfall near Cedar Key as a Category 4 hurricane. The storm caused widespread damage across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. A state of emergency was implemented for 49 Florida counties, and people were asked to evacuate from several areas. But because the storm worsened so quickly, many people had to rush their preparation.
Hurricane Gabrielle formed Sunday in the open Atlantic south-east of Bermuda while Tropical Storm Narda emerged well off southern Mexico's Pacific coast. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Gabrielle became a category 1 hurricane after its top sustained winds rose to 75mph (120 km/h). Gabrielle was centered about 320 miles (515km) south-east of Bermuda and was moving to the north-north-west at 10mph.
