Hurricane Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 9

Full Alert Message

Hurricane Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 9 National Weather Service Peachtree City GA AL092024 1131 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024 This product covers North and Central Georgia **HELENE TO BRING MAJOR IMPACTS TO NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Crisp, Dooly, Macon, Pulaski, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Webster, and Wilcox - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Bibb, Bleckley, Chattahoochee, Crawford, Dodge, Houston, Marion, Muscogee, Peach, Talbot, Taylor, Telfair, and Twiggs - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Harris - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Baldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Glascock, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Hall, Hancock, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Lamar, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Morgan, Murray, Newton, North Fulton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Rockdale, South Fulton, Spalding, Taliaferro, Towns, Troup, Union, Walker, Walton, Warren, Washington, White, Whitfield, and Wilkes * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Crisp, Dooly, Macon, Pulaski, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Webster, and Wilcox - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Bibb, Bleckley, Chattahoochee, Crawford, Dodge, Harris, Houston, Marion, Muscogee, Peach, Talbot, Taylor, Telfair, and Twiggs - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Baldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, 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, Heard, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Murray, Newton, North Fulton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Rockdale, South Fulton, Spalding, Taliaferro, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Troup, Union, Upson, Walker, Walton, Warren, Washington, Wheeler, White, Whitfield, Wilkes, and Wilkinson * STORM INFORMATION: - About 850 miles south of Atlanta GA or about 750 miles south of Columbus GA - 21.6N 86.3W - Storm Intensity 80 mph - Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 10 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ OVERVIEW... Hurricane Helene is currently east of the Yucatan Peninsula and is forecast to track northward and accelerate over the eastern Gulf of Mexico through Thursday. Helene is forecast to become a major hurricane shortly before making landfall along the Big Bend of Florida on Thursday evening. Significant impacts are expected across the north and central Georgia Thursday and Friday with lingering flooding impacts over the weekend. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 10 inches, with localized amounts over 12 inches, are expected. The highest amounts are expected over a wide swatch along I-85 into northeast Georgia from Columbus to Atlanta to Gainesville and the northeast Georgia mountains. Widespread flooding is expected with significant flash flooding and moderate to major river flooding possible. Hurricane and tropical storm force wind gusts, potentially exceeding 70 mph, are expected to begin across the southern portion of the forecast area on Thursday evening, then spread north overnight into Friday morning and continuing into the afternoon. Given the saturated soils, widespread downing of trees and significant power outages are expected. Prepare for an extended period of power loss! Short-lived tornadoes will also be possible across east-central Georgia Thursday evening through early Friday morning, with greatest potential for areas north and east of the track of Helene. Helene will be an expansive system with impacts occurring well away from the storm center. Preparations should be completed well before impacts begin. The time to act is now! POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible significant to extensive impacts across much of north and central Georgia. Potential 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: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across portions of central Georgia. Potential impacts in this area 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. Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across the remainder of north and central Georgia. * TORNADOES: Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible limited impacts across east-central Georgia. Potential 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. Elsewhere across North and Central Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown! If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * 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 before 6 PM, or sooner if conditions warrant.