Widespread power outages likely from hurricane and tropical storm-force winds
A satellite image of Hurricane Helene moving into the Gulf of Mexico taken by NOAA's GOES-16 (GOES East) satellite at 3:51 pm (ET) on Sept. 25, 2024. (Image credit: NOAA)
Hurricane Helene is predicted to make landfall Thursday evening along Florida’s northwest coast as a major hurricane, but NOAA’s National Weather Service is alerting communities that Helene’s flooding rainfall and high winds won’t be limited to the Gulf Coast and are expected to travel hundreds of miles inland.
Helene is an unusually large storm, whose wind field extends as far as 275 miles from its center. Even well before landfall, heavy rainfall will begin in portions of the southeastern United States [download these forecast graphics], and will continue to move northward into the southern Appalachians region through Friday where storm total rainfall amounts are forecast to be up to 18 inches.
The major flood risk includes the urban areas around Tallahassee, metro Atlanta and western North Carolina, including Asheville. Recent rainfall in these areas, especially the southern Appalachians, have left the grounds saturated and the river tributaries running high. Additional rainfall from Helene will exacerbate the existing flood risk. Extreme rainfall rates (i.e., torrential downpour) across the mountainous terrain of the southern Appalachians will likely inundate communities in its path with flash floods, landslides, and cause extensive river and stream flooding.
Gusty winds, combined with saturated ground, will also raise the risk of falling trees that can cause loss of life, property damage, blocked roads, and lead to power outages.
Flooding from extreme rainfall is the deadliest direct cause of tropical cyclone fatalities in the U.S. over the past decade.
Safety tips & resources
- Heed evacuation orders if they are issued by local emergency managers.
- Know if you are in a flood prone area and have a plan to protect your family and important property.
- If flash flooding or river flooding is forecast for your area, stay off the roadways. Do not attempt to cross areas covered by water.
For flooding preparedness and safety tips, visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
For the latest #Helene forecast, visit the National Hurricane Center at hurricanes.gov/#helene and follow them on X at @NHC_Atlantic offsite link
NOAA’s one-stop event page for #Helene, including graphics, social media feeds and more, visit: https://www.noaa.gov/helene
Local storm forecasts and impacts are also available at weather.gov (add the zip code in the upper left window).
Climate, weather, and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict our changing environment, from the deep sea to outer space, and to manage and conserve America’s coastal and marine resources.
