According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Helene made landfall near the Aucilla River, along the coast of Florida’s Big Bend as a Category (Cat) 4 hurricane around 11:10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Thursday, September 26. The NHC estimates that with Cat 4 strength at landfall, there is the probability for catastrophic damage, including loss of life, severe roof and siding damage or destruction to well-built homes, most trees to be uprooted, and isolated power outages from downed trees and power poles lasting weeks to possibly months. Damage of this kind had already begun across the Carolinas, Florida, and Georgia, as there have been at least seven weather-related fatalities associated with Helene.
Since landfall, Helene has tracked inland across Florida before weakening to a tropical storm over Georgia. A report issued by the NHC at 8:00 a.m. EDT locates the eye of Helene currently near McRae-Helena, in Telfair County, Georgia. Throughout the day on Friday, September 27, officials forecast the storm to continue traveling north over Central and Northeastern Georgia before turning northeast towards the Tennessee Valley as it continues to weaken. Helene’s current maximum sustained winds are estimated up to 70 miles per hour (mph) with tropical storm force winds that extend outward up to 275 miles, traveling at 30 mph.
Tropical Storm Helene – GeoColor: NOAA
Tropical Storm Helene has caused widespread impacts across Florida and is continuing to impact parts of Georgia and the Carolinas as it moves northward. As of 9:30 a.m. EDT, more than 4.34 million customers were without power. The governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia have declared a state of emergency for counties throughout their respective states. In Florida, 61 of 67 counties are currently under a state of emergency and all 159 counties in Georgia were placed under a state of emergency ahead of Helene’s arrival.
Additionally, the Biden-Harris Administration approved pre-landfall emergency declarations for Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. These declarations order Federal assistance to State, tribal, and local response efforts. When discussing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) pre-landfall response preparations on CNN this morning, Brock Long, Hagerty’s Executive Chairman and former FEMA Administrator, stated,
“They [FEMA] have been pre-deploying teams, equipment, and personnel capability forward in advance of this storm. Most importantly what they’re doing is putting urban search and rescue teams strategically located in areas, ready to go for the response side. The mission right now is search and rescue, but eventually it will transition over to stabilizing critical infrastructure and life sustainment.” Watch the full interview here.
Although Helene has now been downgraded to a tropical storm, the NHC is predicting damaging wind gusts in portions of Georgia and the Carolinas, considerable flooding for northwestern and northern Florida and the Southeast, and potentially catastrophic flash and urban flooding in portions of the southern Appalachians with the possibility of significant landslides in areas of steep terrain.
The International Space Station flew over Hurricane Helene at 2:25 p.m. EDT Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, as it approached the Gulf Coast of Florida packing winds in excess of 120 miles an hour. pic.twitter.com/J1iU0Iztpx
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) September 26, 2024
X: International Space Station
Florida
Hurricane Helene is the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend. Images from the International Space Station show the size of Hurricane Helene spanning almost half of the Gulf of Mexico. Over one million customers in Florida are without power as areas begin to take stock of overnight damages. As of 6:00 a.m. EDT, Hamilton, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties are completely without power. Several fatalities have been recorded so far, Governor Ron DeSantis noted in a press conference this morning as search and rescue efforts continue.
A storm surge report from Cedar Key, Florida, north of Tampa, estimates that the storm has produced at least 10 feet of storm surge. In Citrus County, similar heights of storm surge are also being reported and have prompted 22 water rescues, including 50 pets, according to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. Rescuers from local fire and police departments in coastal areas of Florida conducted water rescues throughout the night and into the morning. High levels of rainfall have been recorded in areas of Florida. In Sumatra, Florida, officials noted that the unincorporated town received 15.5 inches of rain while other communities received at least nine inches of rainfall between Wednesday morning and Thursday night.
Key Messages for Tropical Storm Helene: NWS
Additionally, counties throughout the western coast of Florida are reporting widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages. In the Tampa Bay area, there have been 87 rescues by boat as of 6:00 a.m. EDT Friday and 30 rescues in Venice. According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, approximately 200 people were rescued from rising water in Pasco County, which is located just north of Tampa, over 150 miles from where Hurricane Helene made landfall. The full extent of the damage from Helene, especially in areas directly impacted, is unlikely to be known for some time as emergency responders clear roadways and search for survivors.
Georgia
In Georgia, the National Weather Service (NWS) Atlanta has put in place Flash Flood Warnings throughout the greater Atlanta area, including but not limited to Alpharetta, Fairview, Lafayette, and Summerville, Georgia, and a Flash Flood Emergency notice in Lilburn, North Atlanta, and Tucker, Georgia. The NWS classifies a Flash Flood Emergency as an “exceedingly rare situation when extremely heavy rain is leading to a severe threat to human life and CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE from a flash flood is happening or will happen soon”. Officials warn that in parts of Georgia, including the wider Atlanta area, some communities have a Moderate (MDT) risk of rainfall exceeding flash flood guidance. Earlier Friday morning in the Peachtree Battle/Creek area, first responders reported rescuing at least 25 people from flood waters and swift water rescue situations.
South Carolina and North Carolina
Helene has also resulted in at least two weather-related fatalities in North Carolina and various hazards across the Carolinas, including tornadoes and torrential rainfall, which has prompted several flash flood emergencies. Emergency management officials have reported at least seven to 10 inches of rain as of 7:00 a.m. EDT across Avery and Mitchell County, North Carolina, leading to numerous road closures, damaged structures, and ongoing water rescues. Tropical Storm conditions have also caused nearly 850,000 customers in South Carolina and more than 264,000 in North Carolina to be without power.
Avoid floodwater from Hurricane #Helene at all costs. TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!
Floodwaters are always unsafe, hiding many hazards like the ones below & more. Visit https://t.co/nfDMe4H80e. pic.twitter.com/5RG4dYtNQZ
— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) September 27, 2024
X: FL Division of Emergency Management
As officials throughout many states have issued flood and flash flood warnings for multiple communities, FEMA recommends individuals seek higher ground, avoid walking or driving in flood waters, and heed the warnings of local authorities. Often, the most important step is to seek shelter away from the water, which may necessitate getting to the highest ground possible or evacuating the area if directed to do so by local authorities. Throughout a flooding event, individuals should pay close attention to emergency alerts and/or their local alerting systems for the most up-to-date information – consider accessing the Emergency Alert System and the NOAA Weather Radio for the latest warnings, watches, and advisories. For more flood safety information, visit Ready.gov.
Damaging wind gusts will penetrate well inland over portions of Georgia and the Carolinas tonight, particularly over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians. Residents in these areas should be prepared for the possibility of long-duration power outages. If you use a… pic.twitter.com/xkjX8ppA1u
— National Weather Service (@NWS) September 27, 2024
X: NWS
Additionally, as Tropical Storm Helene brings damaging wind gusts to portions of the Carolinas and Georgia, it increases the possibility of widespread or long-duration power outages. In the event of a power outage, it is important to practice generator safety. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there are several safety precautions to keep in mind when using a generator, including: reading the manufacturer’s instructions and not using generators indoors, in partially enclosed spaces, or near open doors or windows. The NWS also recommends that generators be placed at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and garages.
Ready.gov also provides information on how to prepare for tornadoes and keep safe, including identifying a safe shelter, preparing a go-bag, and staying up to date on warnings and notices. Over the coming days and weeks, Hagerty’s Blog Team will continue to provide guidance on making effective preparations for long-term recovery, as well as continuing our situational updates.
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Remember, Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for a storm and keep you and your family safe.