This product covers North and Central Georgia **HELENE TO BRING UNPRECEDENTED WIND AND FLOODING IMPACTS TO NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA THROUGH FRIDAY** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Chattahoochee, Crawford, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Muscogee, Peach, Pike, Pulaski, Schley, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Telfair, Twiggs, Upson, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, and Wilkinson - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Emanuel, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Glascock, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Hall, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Heard, Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Montgomery, Morgan, Murray, Newton, North Fulton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Putnam, Rockdale, South Fulton, Taliaferro, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Troup, Union, Walker, Walton, Warren, Washington, White, Whitfield, and Wilkes * STORM INFORMATION: - About 270 miles south of Atlanta GA or about 140 miles south of Cordele GA - 29.9N 83.9W - Storm Intensity 140 mph - Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 24 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Helene has made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in the Big Bend region of Florida as of 11 PM EDT. Helene will be an expansive system with impacts occurring well away from the storm center. Due to the intensity and fast forward motion, unprecendented wind and flooding impacts, rivaling or exceeding those of Hurricanes Opal (1995), Irma (2017) and Michael (2018), are expected across the north and central Georgia. Several areas have already received 4 to 8 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Additional rainfall amounts of 2.5 to 5 inches, with localized higher amounts, are expected. The highest total amounts will occur over a wide swath paralleling I-85 into northeast and east central Georgia. Widespread flooding is expected with significant flash flooding and moderate to major river flooding possible. A few flash flood warnings have already gone into effect. Tropical storm and hurricane force wind gusts, potentially exceeding 80 mph, are expected to begin across the southern portion of the forecast area, then quickly spread north overnight into Friday morning. Hurricane Force wind gusts will be possible for some locations including the Atlanta Metro extending eastward to Athens and in the higher terrain of the northeast Georgia mountains. Outside of these locations, Tropical Storm force gusts are expected all the way up to the border with Tennessee and North Carolina. Given the saturated soils, widespread downing of trees and significant power outages are expected. Be ready for an extended period of power loss! A few short-lived tornadoes have already occurred this evening. Short- lived tornadoes remain possible across east-central Georgia overnight through early Friday morning, with the greatest potential over areas north and east of the track of Helene. The time to hunker down and take shelter is now! POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across north and central Georgia. Remain well guarded against life- threatening flood waters having possible devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - 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. * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are expected early Friday morning before sunrise in central Georgia. Remain well sheltered from life- threatening wind having extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - 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. Potential impacts from the main wind event are also expected across north Georgia. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having significant impacts. * TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across portions of east-central Georgia. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery- powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy. During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather. Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins. If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body. Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane as any improvement in weather will only be temporary. Once the eye passes, conditions will become life threatening as winds immediately return to dangerous speeds, so remain safely sheltered from the storm. Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on creating an emergency plan see ready.ga.gov - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City GA around 530 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.
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