Summary:
Helene will continue to bring catastrophic and life-threatening extreme rainfall and flooding threats through at least midday for the southern Appalachians where upslope flow should increase rain totals and varying terrain is likely to lead to landslides. Tornadoes will be most likely during the morning and remain possible into the afternoon across parts of the Carolinas and southern Virginia. Impacted Lanes: I-85, I-59, I-24, I-40, I-75, I-26, I-77, I-65, I-64, I-55, I-70, I-69, I-71, I-95, I-5
Georgia
Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect until further notice
- Wind: Below tropical storm force wind; Peak Wind Forecast: 20-30 mph with gusts to 45 mph; Potential for wind 58 to 73 mph
- Impacts: Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. 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.
- Flooding Rain: Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional around 1 inch. Potential for extreme flooding rain.
- Impacts: Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
Flash Flood Warning remains in effect until 2:15 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.
Flood Warning remains in effect until 2:15 PM EDT this afternoon
- Minor flooding is occurring.
- Impacts: Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall. Water over roadways.
Flood Watch remains in effect until 2:15 PM EDT this afternoon
- 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. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Water may be over roadways.
Tennessee
Flood Warning remains in effect until 11 AM EDT this morning
- Small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues.
- Impacts: Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall. Water over roadways.
Flood Advisory remains in effect until 10 AM CDT this morning
- Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
- Impacts: Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Water over roadways.
High Wind Warning remains in effect until 8 PM EDT this evening
- Northeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.
- Impacts: Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Wind Advisory remains in effect until 7 AM CDT Saturday morning
- Northwest winds 15 to 25 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.
Flood Watch remains in effect until 2 PM EDT this afternoon
- 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. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Water may be over roadways.
California
Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 9 AM PDT this morning
- Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog for the Central Coast and Santa Ynez Valley.
- Impacts: Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
Additional Tropical Storm Warnings include but are not limited to: South Carolina, and North Carolina
Additional Flash Flood Warnings include but are not limited to: North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina
Additional Flood Warnings include but are not limited to: Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina
Additional Flood Advisories include but are not limited to: North Carolina
Additional Flood Watches include but are not limited to: Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Arkansas
Additional High Wind Warnings include but are not limited to: Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky
Additional Wind Advisories include but are not limited to: Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina
