Florida News That Impacts You – September 27th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry in Florida’s Big Bend after taking a late jog east as it neared landfall. It was a strong Category 4 hurricane at the point of impact with top sustained winds of 140 mph that were maintained for nearly an hour after landfall. The hurricane maintained top wind speeds of 110 mph as it passed by Valdosta, Georgia and maintained hurricane force winds of 75 mph entering central Georgia. It’ll take time to understand the full scope of the damage caused by the massive hurricane. Locally, the impact was minor and isolated. Power outages totaled 1.2 million in Florida or just over 10% of the state as of 5 am. All severe weather advisories have been lifted for South Florida and the Treasure Coast as of 5 am.
- All public schools in Palm Beach, Martin, Indian River, St. Lucie and Okeechobee Counties will reopen today with normal school schedules and operations.
- Area colleges are also reopening today. Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach State College and Indian River State College will have normal class schedules today.
- It’ll be breezy and hot today with highs near 90. Temperatures will be about 5 degrees warmer than usual for this date. The National Hurricane Center is tracking four systems. Helene entered Georgia as a hurricane and will be making its way through the state as a tropical storm today. Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to develop into a hurricane in the Northern Atlantic and is moving east, away from land and won’t be an issue. A disturbance off the coast of Africa and is also likely to develop as it makes its way towards the mid-Atlantic – it's unlikely to impact any populated areas. A new disturbance is forming in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to move towards the Gulf of Mexico over the next week. It currently has a 30% chance of developing during the next seven days.
- Gas prices rose one cent per gallon on Thursday. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.18 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.34 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.22 and in Indian River County the average is $3.18 per gallon.