Summary:
Helene is expected to bring life-threatening and catastrophic storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds to Florida and inland across the Southeast. Catastrophic and life-threatening flash/urban flooding, including landslides, is expected across the southern Appalachians. Considerable to locally catastrophic flash flooding is likely for northwestern and northern Florida and the Southeast. Impacted Lanes: I-5, I-15, I-90, I-29, I-75, I-10, I-95, I-65, I-85, I-16, I-26, I-20, I-40, I-77, I-64
Florida
Hurricane Warning remains in effect until further notice
- Wind: Peak Wind Forecast: 30-40 mph with gusts to 50 mph; Potential for wind 74 to 110 mph
- Impacts: Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks. Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. Large areas with power and communications outages.
- Flooding Rain: Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts
- Impacts: Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
- 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. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast. 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.
Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect until 8 AM EDT Friday morning
- Significant coastal flooding.
- Impacts: Numerous roads may be closed. Low lying property including some critical infrastructure will be inundated.
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.
Wind Advisory remains in effect until 11:59 PM EDT Thursday evening
- North winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected.
- Impacts: Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Virginia
Flood Warning remains in effect until 5 PM EDT this evening
- Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
- Impacts: Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Water over roadways.
Flash Flood Warning remains in effect until 12:30 PM EDT this afternoon
- 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.
Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect until 11 PM EDT this evening
- Up to one foot of inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.
- Impacts: Shallow flooding is expected in the most vulnerable locations near the waterfront and shoreline. Expect up to one foot of water above ground level in low lying, vulnerable areas. Some roads and low lying property will experience shallow flooding.
Flood Advisory remains in effect until 10 PM EDT this evening
- Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
- Impacts: River or stream flows are elevated. Water over roadways.
Montana
High Wind Warning remains in effect until 3 PM MDT this afternoon
- West winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.
- Impacts: Travel may become difficult for those operating high profile vehicles and or hauling light weight trailers. Blowing dust may reduce visibility at times.
Oregon
Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 11 AM PDT this morning
- Visibility less than one quarter mile in dense fog.
- Impacts: Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
Additional Hurricane Warnings include but are not limited to: Alabama
Additional Flash Flood Warnings include but are not limited to: Maryland, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee
Additional Flood Warnings include but are not limited to: Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina
Additional Flood Advisories include but are not limited to: North Carolina, and South Carolina
Additional Coastal Flood Advisories include but are not limited to: Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland , Delaware, and New Jersey
Additional Flood Watches include but are not limited to: West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas
Additional High Wind Warnings include but are not limited to: Tennessee
Additional Wind Advisories include but are not limited to: Alabama, Tennessee, Minnesota, and North Dakota
Additional Dense Fog Advisories include but are not limited to: Washington
