Hurricane Helene forces Florida ports to cease operations

Florida ports are bracing for disruptions as Hurricane Helene powers through the Gulf of Mexico, prompting the US Coast Guard (USCG) to shut down operations at Tampa and Jacksonville.

PHOTO: Cruise ships at Port Miami in Florida during sunset. Getty Images

The storm, which could strengthen to a Category 4, is expected to bring a "catastrophic" storm surge as it nears Florida’s Big Bend coast.

The US Coast Guard imposed "port condition ZULU" on Tampa Bay and Jacksonville late Tuesday, closing the ports to all vessel traffic as gale-force winds were anticipated within 12 hours. Ports remain closed as safety concerns persist.

Helene is expected to make landfall on Thursday evening, with the National Hurricane Center warning that storm surge, wind, and heavy rainfall will affect areas well beyond the storm’s center, especially on the east side.

The ports of Galveston, New Orleans, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale remain open and are not expected to shut down due to the storm.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

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