Hurricane Kirk intensified into a Category 3 storm in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, with forecasters predicting it could strengthen further into a major hurricane. As of now, no coastal warnings or watches are in effect, and the storm is not deemed an immediate threat to land.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center, based in Miami, confirmed that Kirk reached Category 3 status with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph). The hurricane was located approximately 1,150 miles east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles and moving northwest at 12 mph. It is expected to gradually turn north-northwest and eventually shift northward as the week progresses.
While there is no immediate threat to land, the storm’s swells are expected to impact the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, and parts of the Greater Antilles over the weekend, creating life-threatening surf and rip currents. These dangerous conditions could extend to the East Coast of the U.S., Atlantic Canada, and the Bahamas by Sunday.
In addition to Kirk, Tropical Storm Leslie formed in the eastern Atlantic late Wednesday. Although it is not yet deemed a land threat, forecasters warn that it could strengthen into a hurricane by the weekend. Leslie is currently located about 490 miles southwest of the southern tip of the Cabo Verde Islands with sustained winds of 40 mph.
These storms emerge as the southeastern U.S. continues its recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of the region last week. Helene left a trail of catastrophic damage, and search-and-rescue teams are still looking for people unaccounted for in the aftermath. At least 229 people have been confirmed dead across multiple states, making it one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history.
President Joe Biden visited Florida and Georgia earlier this week to assess the damage and meet with emergency responders. He pledged federal support for debris removal and emergency costs in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina as the affected areas continue their recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Kirk continues to churn in the Atlantic, with forecasters keeping a close eye on its potential growth and impact in the coming days. Though it is expected to weaken by early next week, Kirk is projected to remain a large hurricane for several more days, generating powerful swells that will affect coastal regions far from the storm’s center.
The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, typically sees its peak activity between mid-August and mid-October, with September being the most active month. Tropical Storm Milton also formed in the Gulf of Mexico and could pose a threat to the U.S. in the coming week.
