Attack the dangerous Category 4 that is approaching Florida

Florida State University students who live off campus sought shelter at their school this morning ahead of Hurricane Helene’s expected impact as a devastating Category 3 or 4 storm.

FSU opened a facility for off-campus students this morning at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, and as the rain began to arrive, students began arriving with backpacks, white garbage bags full of belongings, suitcases and pillows.

“I was going to stay in my apartment, but as soon as it turned into a Category 4, I decided to come here,” Pranav Sahani, a senior living in an apartment in the area, told NBC News. “I’ve been in hurricanes in Florida before, but not Category 4 hurricanes.”

He brought with him a full backpack, a blanket, food and “a few video games,” he said.

Sahani, 26, said that because the storm will intensify later today, he thinks he will be safer at the school’s shelter center than at home.

“I trust this building more than my apartment,” he said.

Sophomores Maya Malouin and Nitya Katwala feared they would lose power in their apartment and sought shelter on campus after their roommates also left ahead of the storm.

– There will be security, police. I feel safer,” said 19-year-old Malouin.

Junior James Wass said he decided to leave his apartment when he saw the storm could reach a Category 3 or 4 and his parents were very concerned about his safety.

“I don’t want them to worry about me,” he said.

Wass considered going to Gainesville, but decided to transfer to the campus instead.

He said he has seen major storms during his time at FSU, but “not a hurricane like this.”

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said the city is making preparations to keep everyone safe, including the large student population at Florida State University, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee State College.

“We have about 70,000 students” and we work with those institutions, Dailey said. “They closed university campuses yesterday. We encouraged students to return home for safety. For those students who remain, we have great shelters that they can also go to to stay safe.”

Dailey said he contacted both the governor’s office and the White House ahead of the storm.