Hurricane Helene intensified from a tropical storm on Wednesday, making landfall in Mexico’s coastal state of Quintana Roo. The Category 1 hurricane brought heavy rain and strong winds to the region, particularly affecting Cancun and its surrounding areas. As it progressed, the storm unleashed destructive forces in the Caribbean, with its eye now set on Florida’s coastline for a potentially life-threatening landfall on Thursday.
The National Hurricane Center has warned that Helene will bring “life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains” as it heads towards the U.S. Gulf Coast. Currently, the hurricane is lashing western Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula. Along its path lies Cancun, known for its beautiful beaches in Mexico.
Michelle Koleychik, a hotel guest in Cancun, described the storm as a “monsoon,” with strong winds and heavy rain causing significant damage to the area. Koleychik’s bed had become an island as water poured into her room from all directions. She was starting to panic, having run out of towels.
Hunter Keeling documented the progress of the storm after winds picked up on Tuesday night, noting how the resort had prepared for Helene. Video footage from Steven Mangini showed conditions deteriorating at Hotel Riu Dunamar in Cancun on Wednesday morning. Jodi Whoriskey, another hotel guest and travel agent staying in Playa Del Carmen, captured Helene’s heavy rain and powerful winds in a post on social media.
Lightning was observed in the night sky above Merida, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, as Helene passed along the country’s Gulf Coast early Wednesday. The storm is expected to continue intensifying, with its wind field expanding dramatically. This exceptionally large storm could bring strong winds up to 400 miles from its center, making traditional forecast cones less reliable.
Nearly all of Florida, including areas outside the cone, should brace for strong to damaging wind gusts. Power outages are likely to be widespread as Hurricane Helene makes landfall on Thursday. The most destructive winds are expected in the Big Bend region and along the Interstate 10 corridor, with gusts potentially exceeding 100 mph. This could lead to significant structural damage.
Rain will begin spreading across Florida on Wednesday, but flash flooding is less likely due to its fast movement. Urban areas such as Tampa and Fort Myers could see localized flooding due to increased runoff. However, the Big Bend region faces a higher risk of flooding on Thursday as the storm makes landfall.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there are 2.4 million U.S. residents under a Hurricane Warning, and another 22.6 million under Tropical Storm Warnings. The hurricane’s large wind field will push Gulf water into coastal areas, leading to destructive and potentially life-threatening storm surge. Harbors, bays, inlets, and rivers open to the Gulf of Mexico are particularly vulnerable.
After the storm passes, Florida is likely to return to its typical weather pattern on Friday, with afternoon thunderstorms expected through the weekend.
