For the latest updates on Hurricane Helene, follow AJC’s live coverage and hour-by-hour forecasts.
Fast-moving Tropical Storm Helene passed through northwest Georgia, leaving many areas flooded and nearly 1 million without power.
The storm reached Florida’s Big Bend coast with 140-mph winds around 11:10 p.m. Thursday and entered Georgia as a Category 2 hurricane shortly before 1:30 a.m. Friday with sustained winds of more than 100 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. It quickly weakened, dropping to a Category 1 storm by 2 a.m. as it passed Valdosta.
As of 11 a.m., the storm’s center was over Hayesville, North Carolina, about 17 miles from the Georgia border and 100 miles east of Chattanooga, according to the National Hurricane Center. It was moving at a crisp 32 mph.
Forecast path for Helene
Emergency officials have been warning of fallen trees, downed power lines and shuttered roads due to constant rain.
Damaging wind gusts are still anticipated across North Georgia and metro Atlanta, as its rain bands extend up to 275 miles from the center.
Potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding is ongoing across the Southeast, including the Southern Appalachians and the Tennessee Valley, through Friday, the NHC warns. Widespread river flooding throughout the region was also expected.
Stay up to date with the NHC here.
