Atlanta under Tropical Storm Warning as Helene expected to bring widespread impacts
Helene has less than 24 hours to strengthen into a major hurricane before impacting Florida and the Southeast.
ATLANTA – Hurricane Helene is forecast to make landfall on Florida‘s Gulf coast late Thursday as a major hurricane, but far-reaching storm impacts are expected in Georgia and the Southeast as the sprawling and dangerous storm rolls across the region.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency on Tuesday for Helene. The declaration will provide necessary resources all across the state for preparation, response and recovery activities before, during and after the storm.
On its current track, Helene is expected to move fast during and after landfall. Because of the quick-moving storm, National Hurricane Center forecasters are putting Southern Georgia on alert now.
(FOX Weather)
“It can carry its momentum further inland,” NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rhome told FOX Weather. “So, little storms will basically die immediately after they sort of come inland. Big storms just plow right on inland. So you’re taking that wind and that heavy rain significantly inland. So we’re going to really have to start messaging hard southern Georgia as well when going in. And then later down the line, days four and five, big rainfall and flooding threat.”
Tropical storm-force winds greater than 40 mph could cause power outages across the Southeast as Helene moves farther inland.
(FOX Weather)
Heavy rain beginning Wednesday is also a concern for potential flash and river flooding. Areas in southern Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina could see up to 18 inches of rain through the weekend.
(FOX Weather)
There is a Level 4 threat of flooding in northeast Georgia and the western mountains of the Carolinas on Thursday when some of the highest rain totals are forecast to fall across parts of the Southeast.
(FOX Weather)
Some local governments, including Bryan, Candler and Chatham counties in southeast Georgia, have said they are monitoring Helene and mobilizing emergency response centers.
A few state parks and historic sites have closed in preparation for Helene’s landfall. For a list of state park closures, click here.
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