Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Thursday, September 26, 2024 87° Today's Paper

Photo Galleries

Floridians gear up for Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene is forecast to rapidly strengthen and could hit Florida on Thursday as a Category 4 storm, producing “catastrophic” winds of up to 156 miles per hour, forecasters said.

By Ernst Peters/The Ledger and Tyler Orsburn/News Herald via USA TODAY Network

Sept. 25, 2024

1/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Curtis Barry and Michela Tillis were busy Wednesday filling sandbags behind Destin City Hall Annex in preparation for Hurricane Helene.
2/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Horseshoe Beach residents board up windows and pack up belongings ahead of Hurricane Helene on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
3/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Horseshoe Beach resident Jason Bass discusses the effects of past hurricanes' Idalia and Debby as he prepares to pack up his belongings ahead of Hurricane Helene on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
4/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Horseshoe Beach residents board up windows and pack up belongings ahead of Hurricane Helene on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
5/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

People stand on the boardwalk and watch as waves crash on shore at Wabasso Beach Park, Wednesday, Sept. 25, in Indian River County. Hurricane Helene will bring an increased threat of tornadoes along with 10-20% chance of tropical storm-force winds and possibly up to four inches of rain as the storm moves along its projected path north into the Gulf of Mexico Thursday, a meteorologist said. Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties will be under what the National Weather Service meteorologist stated was a marginal risk for increased tornado threats and slight risk of severe weather Thursday and Friday.
6/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

A storm approaches Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Hurricane Helene is expected to pass SWFL on the way to the big bend area. SWFL is preparing for possible storm surge from the Hurricane.
7/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Employees of Polk County Roads and Drainage Unit 1 load up sandbags into cars for residents preparing for Hurricane Helene at Loyce Harpe County Park Wednesday September 25 2024, in Lakeland Fl. Ernst Peters/The Ledger
8/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Manatee county moves in already filled sandbags sandbags at the boat ramp of Anna Maria Island Wednesday morning ahead of Hurricane Helene.
9/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Red flags are flying at Jensen Beach Park on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Hurricane Helene will bring an increased threat of tornadoes along with 10-20% chance of tropical storm-force winds and possibly up to four inches of rain as the storm moves along its projected path north into the Gulf of Mexico Thursday, a meteorologist said. Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties will be under what the National Weather Service meteorologist stated was a marginal risk for increased tornado threats and slight risk of severe weather Thursday and Friday.
10/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Storm clouds are seen over the Indian River Lagoon on Wednesday, Sept. 25, in St. Lucie County. Hurricane Helene will bring an increased threat of tornadoes along with 10-20% chance of tropical storm-force winds and possibly up to four inches of rain as the storm moves along its projected path north into the Gulf of Mexico Thursday, a meteorologist said. Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties will be under what the National Weather Service meteorologist stated was a marginal risk for increased tornado threats and slight risk of severe weather Thursday and Friday.
11/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Lee County residents fill up sandbags Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Fire Station #171 in Sanibel located at 2401 Library Way. Sand and Sandbags are available in the parking lot next to the fire station. Residents were preparing for potential impact from Hurricane Helene.
12/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Christian Torres, left, and James Boutchia team up to fill up sandbags Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Fire Station #171 in Sanibel located at 2401 Library Way. Sand and Sandbags are available in the parking lot next to the fire station. Residents were preparing for potential impact from Hurricane Helene.
13/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Cape Coral resident Jeff Muhs fills up his spare gas tanks Wednesday, Sept. 25, at a Circle K station in preparation for potential impact from Hurricane Helene.
14/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Lee County residents fill up sandbags Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Fire Station #171 in Sanibel located at 2401 Library Way. Sand and Sandbags are available in the parking lot next to the fire station. Residents were preparing for potential impact from Hurricane Helene.
15/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Residents fill sandbags at North Collier Regional Park in Naples as Tropical Storm Helene approaches off the coast on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
16/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

As effects from Helene moving up the gulf coast lead to rough surf in the Atlantic Ocean, a woman shields herself from a light sprinkle while walking along the shore at Midtown Beach Sept. 25.
17/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Tropical Storm Helene is forecast to make landfall in the Panhandle as a major hurricane late Thursday or early Friday.
18/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Water was a popular item at this Winn Dixie on U.S. 1 in Edgewater on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Patrons were stocking up ahead of Tropical Storm Helene.
19/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Water was steadily being purchased at the Publix on U.S. 1 in Edgewater on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Tropical Storm Helen, expected to become a hurricane sometime Wednesday, could begin to affect Volusia and Flagler counties as early as Wednesday evening.
20/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

Herman Mccrimager fills a bag with sand Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Woerner Turf and Landscaping Supply in Jacksonville, Fla. Patrons prepared for the upcoming Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene filling bags to curtail potential floodwaters. The landscaping company at 8900 Philips Highway is providing everything free of charge that includes bags and ties, use of shovels and dig-your-own sand.
21/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

City employees at the Public Works Department Panama City, Fla., prepare and distribute sandbags Sept. 24. Tropical Storm Helene is predicted to strengthen in the coming days, becoming a Category 4 hurricane before slamming into the Panhandle.
22/22
Swipe or click to see more

USA TODAY NETWORK

City employees use this sand dispenser to bag sand at the Public Works Department in Panama City, Fla., Sept. 24. Tropical Storm Helene is predicted to strengthen in the coming days, becoming a Category 4 hurricane before slamming into the Panhandle.

Related Story

Hurricane Helene may hit Florida as ‘catastrophic’ Category 4
Previous Gallery
Defendant in 2022 Hawaii Loa murder case delays hearing
Next Gallery
Congress passes stopgap spending bill to avert government shutdown

More Photo Galleries

Subscriber Favorites

Flip through MidWeek online

Looking Back


Honolulu Local Business Guide