Tropical cyclone Hellen formed near the border of Tanzania and Mozambique a few days ago, and is moving southeast across the Mozambique Channel. Over the past 24 hours, this storm has intensified by 80 knots from 50 knots to 130 knots, making it a category IV hurricane.
The storm will graze the northwestern coast of Madagascar with maximum sustained windspeeds of 160 mph, gusting to 200 mph. What that will do to that impoverished country will be revealed in the next few days. Hellen is expected to veer west and weaken as it crosses the Mozambique Channel, making landfall in Mozambique in a few days time at tropical storm strength (about 50 knots).
