Hurricane Helene looks angry from space: Satellite captures eye of the storm

Helene, which rapidly intensified into a hurricane on Wednesday, is now classified as a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

In Short

• What sets Helene apart is its unusually large size
• Hurricane-force winds extend up to 275 miles from its center
• Some areas could see storm total rainfall amounts of up to 18 inches

A striking image captured by NOAA's GOES-16 (GOES East) satellite reveals the immense scale and power of Hurricane Helene as it churns in the Gulf of Mexico, bearing down on Florida's coast.

The image shows the storm's vast expanse and well-defined eye, painting a foreboding picture of the impending threat.

Helene, which rapidly intensified into a hurricane on Wednesday, is now classified as a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

What sets Helene apart is its unusually large size, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 275 miles from its center. This expansive wind field significantly increases the potential impact area, putting a larger swath of the southeastern United States at risk.

The National Hurricane Center warns of "catastrophic" and potentially "unsurvivable" storm surges along Florida's Big Bend coast, with water levels potentially reaching up to 20 feet above ground in some areas.

Destructive winds and life-threatening flooding rains are also anticipated across a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States.

Even before making landfall, Helene's effects will be felt far inland. Heavy rainfall is forecast to begin in portions of the southeastern United States, gradually moving northward into the southern Appalachians through Friday.

Some areas could see storm total rainfall amounts of up to 18 inches, raising concerns about widespread flooding and potential landslides in mountainous regions.

As Helene approaches, evacuations are in progress across several southeastern states. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for nearly all of Florida's counties and mobilized the National Guard.

Residents in the storm's path are urged to complete their preparations quickly and heed all evacuation orders.

Hurricane Helene is a clear example of the increasing intensity of Atlantic hurricanes, with climate change likely playing a role in their rapid intensification.

As the storm continues its march toward the Florida coast, millions of residents brace for what could be one of the most significant hurricanes to hit the region in recent years.