* WHAT. Catastrophic, life threatening flooding, caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE. Portions of North Carolina, including the following areas, Stokes and Yadkin, Virginia, including the following areas, Campbell, Henry and Pittsylvania, and southeast West Virginia, including the following areas, Eastern Greenbrier, Summers and Western Greenbrier. * WHEN. Through Friday evening. * IMPACTS. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - An additional 3 to 10 inches of rain will fall on already saturated soils. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* WHAT. East winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected. * WHERE. Alexander, Cabarrus, Davie, Iredell, and Rowan Counties. * WHEN. Until 2 PM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

* WHAT. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE. Portions of northeast Georgia, including the following areas, Elbert and Hart, North Carolina, including the following areas, Alexander, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Eastern McDowell, Eastern Polk, Gaston, Greater Burke, Greater Caldwell, Greater Rutherford, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Union NC, and upstate South Carolina, including the following areas, Abbeville, Anderson, Central Greenville, Cherokee, Chester, Greenwood, Laurens, Northern Spartanburg, Southern Greenville, Southern Spartanburg, Union SC and York. * WHEN. Through Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall are expected due to the interaction of tropical moisture along a stationary front, followed by the passage of Tropical Storm Helene. Additional rainfall of 3 to 6 inches is expected across the Piedmont and foothills. This has the potential to be an extremely rare event with significant and damaging flash-flooding along numerous streams possible. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

HLSGSP This product covers the western Carolinas and NE Georgia **HELENE TO BRING SIGNIFICANT FLASH FLOODING AND POSSIBLE HURRICANE FORCE WIND GUSTS TO THE WESTERN CAROLINAS AND NORTHEAST GEORGIA** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Abbeville, Anderson, Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Catawba, Central Greenville, Cherokee, Chester, Cleveland, Eastern McDowell, Eastern Polk, Elbert, Franklin, Gaston, Graham, Greater Burke, Greater Caldwell, Greater Oconee, Greater Pickens, Greater Rutherford, Greenville Mountains, Greenwood, Habersham, Hart, Haywood, Henderson, Laurens, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Northern Spartanburg, Oconee Mountains, Pickens Mountains, Polk Mountains, Rabun, Rutherford Mountains, Southern Greenville, Southern Jackson, Southern Spartanburg, Stephens, Swain, Transylvania, Union NC, Union SC, Yancey, and York * STORM INFORMATION: - About 500 miles south-southwest of Greenville/Spartanburg SC or about 540 miles south-southwest of Asheville NC - 27.9N 84.6W - Storm Intensity 125 mph - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 23 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall over the Florida Panhandle this evening and move quickly north through Georgia. Significant, potentially catastrophic flash flooding and major mainstem river flooding is expected over portions of the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia this evening into early Friday, especially along the Blue Ridge escarpment. Wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph with up to 80 mph across the higher ridge tops will be associated with Helene as the center of the storm tracks just west of the County Warning Area tonight into Friday morning. The combination of saturated soils and strong wind gusts will result in numerous downed trees, leading to numerous power outages. Numerous landslides may occur across the mountains, with large, damaging debris flows or slope failures possible. Several brief tornadoes are also possible, mainly across the Piedmont. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible devastating impacts across the North Carolina mountains, northeast Georgia, and Upstate South Carolina. 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 dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across the western North Carolina mountains and northeast Georgia and the western Upstate South Carolina. Potential impacts in this area include: - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the remainder of the western Carolinas. * TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across the eastern South Carolina Piedmont and the North Carolina Piedmont. 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. Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the rest of the Piedmont and Foothills of the western Carolinas and northeast 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. 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. It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter. 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 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. 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 appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC around 11 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

* WHAT. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE. Much of central North Carolina, including most of the Piedmont, the Yadkin Valley, the Sandhills, the southern Coastal Plain along with the Triad and Triangle areas. * WHEN. From 6 PM EDT this evening through Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - Given recent wet conditions, the ground is saturated and streamflows are significantly above normal. Much of central NC is susceptible to Flash Flooding with significant rain or periods of heavy rain. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* WHAT. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE. Portions of north central North Carolina, including the following counties, Caswell and Rockingham and Virginia, including the following counties, Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte and Halifax. * WHEN. Through Friday evening. * IMPACTS. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - An additional 3 to 6 inches of rain will fall on already saturated soils. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* WHAT. Catastrophic, life threatening flooding, caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE. Portions of North Carolina, including the following areas, Alleghany NC, Ashe, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin, Virginia, including the following areas, Alleghany VA, Amherst, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Campbell, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Smyth, Tazewell and Wythe, and southeast West Virginia, including the following areas, Eastern Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Summers and Western Greenbrier. * WHEN. Through Friday evening. * IMPACTS. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - An additional 3 to 10 inches of rain will fall on already saturated soils. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* WHAT. Southeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. * WHERE. A portion of central North Carolina. * WHEN. From midnight tonight to 6 PM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured outdoor objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and result in scattered power outages. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. Winds will increase overnight, reaching their peak by mid/late morning. Winds will gradually weaken Friday evening.

* WHAT. East winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. * WHERE. Portions of north central and northwest North Carolina, central, south central, southwest, and west central Virginia, and southeast West Virginia. * WHEN. From 8 PM this evening to 8 PM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Trees will more easily be toppled due to the wet ground. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. The strongest winds will be along the southern Blue Ridge.

* WHAT. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE. A portion of central North Carolina, including the following counties, Durham and Wake. * WHEN. Until 800 PM EDT. * IMPACTS. Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 453 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Up to 1 inch of rain has fallen. - Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding. - Some locations that will experience flooding include. Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, RDU International, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, William B Umstead State Park, Research Triangle, Lake Wheeler, Carpenter, Bethesda, Lake Benson, Parkwood, Falls Lake Boat Ramp, New Hill and Rollingview Marina. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood