The following is an update from the National Weather Service Office in Peachtree City, Georgia, issued at 11:25 a.m. ET, Thursday, September 26:

Hurricane Helene, currently west of the Florida Peninsula, will
accelerate northward over the eastern Gulf of Mexico today. Helene is
forecast to become a major hurricane before making landfall along the
Big Bend of Florida on this evening. Due to the intensity and fast
forward motion, unprecedented 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 2 to 5 inches of rain in the last
24 hours. Additional rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches, with localized
amounts near 10 inches, are expected. Widespread flooding is expected
with significant flash flooding and moderate to major river flooding
possible.

Tropical storm and hurricane force wind gusts, potentially exceeding
80 mph, are expected to begin across the southern portion of the
forecast area this evening, then quickly spread north overnight into
Friday morning. 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 today through early Friday morning, with the greatest
potential over areas north and east of the track of Helene.

Helene will be an expansive system with impacts occurring well away
from the storm center.

All preparations should be rushed to completion before impacts begin.
The time to act is now!

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
—————–

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across northeast 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.

Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
significant to extensive impacts across north and central Georgia.

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across 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 limited to
significant impacts across the remainder of central and north Georgia.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a particularly dangerous tornado event having possible
extensive impacts across far southeast Georgia. Potential impacts
include:
– The occurrence of numerous tornadoes can greatly hinder the
execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
– Many places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of
immense destruction, power loss, and communications failures.
– Locations could realize roof and wall failures of sturdy
buildings with some being leveled, structures upon weak
foundations blown away, mobile homes obliterated, large trees
twisted and snapped with forested trees uprooted, vehicles
lifted off the ground and thrown, and small boats destroyed.
Large and deadly projectiles can add to the toll.

Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible limited to
significant impacts across central and eastern Georgia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
———————————-

* EVACUATIONS:

Follow the advice of local officials.

* 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.

If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.

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.

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 around 630 PM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.