Summary:
Helene is forecast to intensify to hurricane strength and bring life-threatening storm surge, surf and rip current conditions, and damaging hurricane-force winds to Florida and the Southeast. Considerable flash and urban flooding is expected across portions of Florida, the Southeast, and the southern Appalachians. Monitor the National Hurricane Center for the latest updates. Impacted Lanes: I-22, I-65, I-20, I-75, I-85, I-4, I-95, I-10, I-35, I-70, I-49, I-90, I-84
Florida
Hurricane Warning remains in effect until further notice
- Wind: Tropical storm force winds; Peak Wind Forecast: 25-35 mph with gusts to 60 mph; Potential for wind 58 to 73 mph
- Impacts: Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
- Flooding Rain: 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts
- Impacts: Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
- Storm Surge: Life-threatening storm surge possible; The potential for 3-5 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas.
- Impacts: Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Sections of near-shore escape routes and roads become weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots.
Flood Watch remains in effect until 8 AM EDT Friday morning
- Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.
- Impacts: Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Water over roadways.
Flood Advisory remains in effect until 9:30 AM EDT this morning
- Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
- Impacts: Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Ponding of water in urban or other areas is occurring or is imminent. Water over roadways.
Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect until 8 AM EDT Friday morning
- Minor coastal flooding.
- Impacts: Flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated road closures expected.
Flash Flood Warning remains in effect until 11:30 AM EDT this morning
- Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
- Impacts: Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
Montana
High Wind Warning remains in effect until 3 PM MDT Thursday afternoon
- West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected.
- Impacts: High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Wind Advisory remains in effect until 10 PM MDT this evening
- Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph expected.
- Impacts: Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Oklahoma
Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 9 AM CDT this morning
- Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.
- Impacts: Visibilities are expected to be reduced to less than one quarter mile by dense fog. Rapidly changing visibility will create hazardous driving conditions.
Washington
Wind Advisory remains in effect until 11 PM PDT this evening
- West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected.
- Impacts: Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Blowing Dust Advisory remains in effect until 11 PM PDT this evening
- Sustained winds of 20 to 30 MPH with gusts of 40 to 50 MPH are possible this afternoon. This could result in visibility values between one-quarter and one mile in blowing dust near open areas with exposed fields.
- Impacts: Hazardous driving conditions will be possible due to reduced visibility. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Additional Coastal Flood Advisories include but are not limited to: North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey
Additional Flood Watches include but are not limited to: Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama
Additional Wind Advisories include but are not limited to: Idaho
Additional Blowing Dust Advisories include but are not limited to: Oregon
Additional Dense Fog Advisories include but are not limited to: Arkansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois
