Prepping for Storms: Florida Faces Helene and Isaac

Florida residents are gearing up for a rough few days as two storms, Helene and Isaac, approach. Tonight, Helene is expected to hit the northwest coast of Florida. Initially a tropical storm, Helene has been bumped up to a Category 2 hurricane with winds zooming past 100 mph. The governors of several states, including Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia, have all sounded the alarm by declaring emergencies in their regions. People in Florida are taking no chances—they're securing windows and grabbing essentials just in case. The state’s emergency center is also on full alert, ready to spring into action if needed. Besides strong winds, Helene might bring heavy rainfall, which could cause flash flooding in areas that sit lower than the rest. Flood warnings are already out for several Florida counties, and officials are urging folks to stay inside during the storm. Farther out in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Isaac is churning away about 690 miles northeast of Bermuda. It's currently moving east at around 12 mph, but weather watchers think it could become a hurricane by the end of the week. For now, Florida’s focus is on Helene and making sure everyone stays safe as the storm approaches.