The Lakeland-based Hurricane Hunters – part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – had a bit of a scare as they flew through the storm Thursday afternoon. The crew of the NOAA WP-3D, nicknamed “Kermit,” was momentarily stuck circling within the eye of the storm. NOAA’s hurricane hunters routinely fly through storms and into the eye, dropping probes that transmit data to the team.
“During their second of four eyewall passes in Hurricane Helene, the crew orbited within the eye to release a second uncrewed aircraft system for research purposes,” a statement on Facebook read. “The crew was also evaluating if landing conditions would allow a return to home base instead of a point of origin. Thank you for your concern. ’Kermit’ and crew are fine.”
Ride through the eyewall of Hurricane #Helene aboard National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) WP-3D Orion #NOAA42 “Kermit” during our evening mission on Sept. 26, 2024. This mission gathered crucial data of a large hurricane intensifying before landfall.
Find NOAA resources on continuing impacts and post-storm recovery at noaa.gov/helene.
Video Credit: Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Utama, NOAA Corps