In what promises to be a turbulent week in terms of weather conditions, Hurricane Helene is now expected to hit just east of Tallahassee in northern Florida on Thursday night. This Category 2 hurricane is bringing heavy winds and rain to Florida and other areas in the southeastern United States, prompting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency in 61 counties in anticipation of the storm’s arrival. With winds reaching speeds of 105 mph and the potential to intensify even further to a Category 3 or 4 storm, residents and teams alike are preparing for the worst.
The impact of Hurricane Helene has already been felt in the world of sports, with several teams making adjustments to their schedules and travel plans in order to ensure the safety of their players and staff. As the threat of severe weather looms large, here is a rundown of some of the contests that may be affected:
Florida State: The Seminoles have already taken preemptive action by moving up their travel plans for Saturday’s game against SMU in Dallas. The team departed Tallahassee a day early to avoid the worst of Helene’s impact, with the Marching Chiefs, FSU’s band, also canceling their trip to Dallas due to the inclement weather.
UCF–Colorado: The Buffaloes made the decision to leave Boulder ahead of schedule in order to arrive in Orlando before the storm hits. Normally traveling on Thursdays for long road trips, Colorado adjusted their plans to face UCF at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Florida A&M: The Rattlers rescheduled their home game against Alabama A&M from Saturday to November 29, the day after Thanksgiving.
Florida: The Gators, fortunately, have a bye week and will not be affected by the storm.
Braves–Mets: Major League Baseball was also forced to take action, postponing the final two games of the series between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets at Truist Park. The league made the decision just hours before the scheduled start of the game due to heavy rains in the Atlanta area. This delay will have playoff implications for both teams, who are currently locked in a battle for a wild-card spot.
St. Louis City SC: St. Louis is set to host Kansas City FC on Saturday amidst the potential aftermath of Hurricane Helene, as moisture from the storm is projected to move towards the Mississippi River Valley. Rain is expected to start on Friday morning and continue through Saturday, possibly leading to the teams playing in wet conditions. While Major League Soccer allows games to be played in the rain, lightning strikes within eight miles of a stadium could result in delays.
Looking ahead, several NFL games are scheduled to take place in the southeastern U.S. on Sunday, with the Miami Dolphins hosting the Tennessee Titans on Monday night. While no changes to the game schedules have been announced, inclement weather could certainly play a factor in the upcoming matchups.
As Hurricane Helene approaches, the sports world is bracing itself for potential disruptions and challenges. Teams and leagues are taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all involved, making adjustments as needed to navigate through the stormy conditions that lie ahead.
