New Tropical Threat Looms For US Coast As Helene Death Toll Rises To 130

There's a new threat in the tropics as millions of Americans are still reeling from Helene, which devastated the Southeast after making landfall in Florida's Big Bend as a Category 4 hurricane.

A look at the system (marked with an X) in the western Caribbean that could become a tropical storm.
Photo Credit: *National Hurricane Center*

Joe Lombardi

10/01/2024 8:00 a.m.

The death toll from Helene has increased to 130, with hundreds missing, and many still without power or having issues with cell phone signals and internet connectivity.

The new potential tropical storm is now located over the western Caribbean Sea and is expected to slowly move west-northwestward into the Gulf of Mexico during the latter portion of this week. That's the same area where Helene developed.

The new system could become a tropical depression in the next couple of days, the National Hurricane Center said.

There will be a differences between this new tropical threat and what was Helene, according to AccuWeather.com.

"Helene was a large tropical disturbance that moved into a highly conducive environment for rapid strengthening," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said. "In addition to the very warm water, there was very little wind shear in front of Helene."

That area will remain a potential tropical development zone into the first half of October, AccuWeather meteorologists say.

Earlier report - Chances Increase Helene's Breeding Ground Could Spawn New Tropical Storm

Leslie, and Milton are the next scheduled names for storms in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through Saturday, Nov. 30.

This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

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