Environment & Weather

Beaches Battered, Waves Build As Hurricane Helene Passes South Florida: Here’s What It Looks Like

by
Daniel Nee
September 26, 2024

Hurricane Helene has made landfall at Florida’s Big Bend region, but while the major storm was making its way northward, South Florida residents were feeling its effects on local roads and beaches.

In Boca Raton, residents gathered at the South Beach Pavilion to watch a few surfers brave the strong rip currents and breaking waves to catch a ride. Sand blew through the air at high speeds, pelting people’s cell phones and cameras while uncomfortably needling their legs.

The dune line along many beaches took the brunt of damage. In Boca Raton, an escarpment – an area where a small “cliff” forms midway along the beach berm – began to take hold up and down the city’s oceanfront. Some debris – mostly palm branches and coconut shells – lingered in the surf and occasionally washed up on the sand. Lifeguards flew red flags and kept a watchful eye on the few beachgoers who ventured onto the sand. A smaller few tempted fate and took a close-in swim despite the strong undertoe and constant wave action.

Rough surf generated by Hurricane Helene in Boca Raton, FL, Sept. 26, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

At Boynton Inlet, swells hit both jetties and water rushed out of the inlet as the tide let out Thursday. The notoriously rough inlet led to breakers at its mouth, and its signature strong current roared between the jetties. Palm Beach County park rangers blocked access to the parking area within Ocean Inlet Park.

A rip current advisory remained in effect for Palm Beach and Broward counties through 7 p.m. Friday, however a high surf advisory expired late Thursday night. The rip current advisory called for a high probability of life-threatening rips through Friday. Hurricane Helene was poised to make landfall in the Big Bend region overnight between Thursday and Friday, packing 130 m.p.h. winds.

Rough surf generated by Hurricane Helene in Boca Raton, FL, Sept. 26, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

South Florida residents, spared by hundreds of miles from the brunt of the storm, can expect the threat of heavy rain to end during the day Friday.

“The majority of the rainfall associated with the system is forecast to fall through Friday morning,” a statement from the National Weather Service said. “Additional rainfall will range between 1 to 3 inches over Southwest Florida up to 2 inches over Southeast Florida. A Flood Watch is in effect for all of South Florida.”

Rough surf generated by Hurricane Helene at Boynton Inlet, Boynton Beach, FL, Sept. 26, 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

The NWS called for partial clearing during the day Friday for Palm Beach and Broward counties, with the sun making an appearance after the morning hours and a high of 91 degrees. It will remain windy, with a south wind 21 to 24 m.p.h., with gusts as high as 31 m.p.h.