Hurricane Helene tracker: Latest path as Florida braces for Category 4 storm landfall

There are five levels of hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane scale:

A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when winds exceed 74mph. The hurricane will stay in this bracket until it reaches 96mph. The National Hurricane Center describes it as “very dangerous winds will produce some damage”.

Category 2 hurricanes have sustained winds between 96mph and 110mph. The NHC described them as “extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage”.

“Devastating damage will occur,” from the 111mph to 129mph winds, the NHC says.

Helene may strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane the NHC says, which will mean “catastrophic damage will occur”. Sustained winds will be anywhere from 130mph to 156mph.

Again, “catastrophic damage will occur,” during the strongest category of hurricane – which is wind speeds greater than 157mph. Framed homes in its path will likely be destroyed, the NHC says.

Hurricane Helene has now strengthened to a Category 2 storm as it continues to chart its path towards Florida.

The NHC warned that “significant additional strengthening” is expected before it makes landfall later today.

K-12 schools across all 67 counties in Florida will be closed on Thursday, according to the latest update from the Florida Department of Education.

A further 25 colleges and 11 state universities will also close their doors in anticipation of Hurricane Helene making landfall.

“The Florida Department of Education works closely with school districts before, during and after natural disasters to ensure they have the resources necessary to resume normal operations as quickly as possible,” reads a statement on the Florida Department of Education’s website.