After calling Florida’s Big Bend area a Category 4 storm Thursday evening, Helene is now heading north toward Georgia and the Carolinas. The once monstrous system has now been downgraded to a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center said, but it is still producing “historic and catastrophic” flooding across parts of the Southeast and southern Appalachians. According to the 11 a.m. NHC advisory, Helene is 30 miles southwest of Bryson City, North Carolina, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and a minimum central pressure of 975. mb.Il This is a major downgrade from Hélène’s previous status. At 11:10 p.m. Thursday, the massive system made landfall near Perry, Florida, with winds of at least 140 mph, making it an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm. Although Helene is expected to weaken as it moves toward the Tennessee Valley. , the NHC says some severe weather conditions remain a concern. A flash flood emergency has been issued for the Atlanta metro area, and many locations are still reporting wind gusts above 60 mph. Below: Latest forecast Helene>> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2. Helene is expected to become a post-tropical depression Friday afternoon or night. Helene Monitors and Warns A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for: the Savannah River north to Little River Inlet. More: Difference between tropical storm, watch and warning Hurricane Helene impacts central Florida As the outer bands of Helene worked across the state Thursday evening and Friday morning, every county in Central Florida remained under tornado watch. In many counties like Brevard and Volusia, the bands were strong enough to trigger a few tornado warnings – but those have since expired. The National Weather Service initially expanded a region-wide tornado watch, but that too has been discontinued.>> Severe weather threats diminish across central Florida as Helen rises toward the north. Central Florida residents also experienced heavy rain and gusty winds as Helene made landfall and worked through the region. On Friday, impacts from Helene are expected to be less severe, but Central Florida should be aware of the outer bands still rotating through the region. Throughout the weekend, waves could also be very rough. All tropical advisories have been discontinued in Central Florida as of the 8 a.m. advisory from the NHC.>> Download the WESH 2 app>> View power outage reports in Central FloridaFirst Weather WarningStay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate weather forecasts in Central Florida. RadarSevere Weather AlertsDownload the WESH 2 News app for the most up-to-date weather alerts.The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris and Kellianne. Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.
After calling Florida’s Big Bend area a Category 4 storm Thursday evening, Helene is now heading north and toward Georgia and the Carolinas.
The once monstrous system has now been downgraded to a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center said.
According to the NHC’s 8 a.m. advisory, Helene is 35 miles south-southwest of Clemson, South Carolina, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and a minimum central pressure of 972 mb.
This is a major downgrade from Helene’s previous status. At 11:10 p.m. Thursday, the massive system made landfall near Perry, Florida, with winds of at least 140 mph, making it an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm.
Although Helene is expected to weaken as it moves toward the Tennessee Valley, the NHC says some severe weather remains a concern. A flash flood emergency has been issued for the Atlanta metro area, with many locations reporting wind gusts above 70 mph.
Below: Hélène’s latest forecasts
>> Download Very Local | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2
Helene is expected to become a post-tropical depression Friday afternoon or night.
Hélène watches, warns
A storm surge warning is in force for:
- Indian Pass to Bonita Beach
- Tampa Bay
A tropical storm warning is in force for:
- Altamaha Sound north to Little River Inlet
More: Difference Between Tropical Storm, Hurricane Watch and Warning
Hélène impacts central Florida
As Helene’s outer bands worked across the state Thursday evening and Friday morning, every county in Central Florida remained under a tornado watch.
In many counties like Brevard and Volusia, the bands were strong enough to trigger a few tornado warnings – but those have since expired. The National Weather Service initially expanded tornado watches region-wide, but that too was discontinued.
>> Threat for severe weather diminishes in central Florida as Helene heads north
Central Florida residents also experienced heavy rain and gusty winds as Helen made landfall and worked across the state.
On Friday, impacts from Helene are expected to be less severe, but Central Florida should be aware of the outer bands still moving through the region. Throughout the weekend, the surf could also be very rough.
All tropical advisories have been discontinued in central Florida as of the 8 a.m. advisory from the NHC.
>> Download the WESH 2 app
>> View Central Florida Power Outage Reports
First weather alert
Stay with WESH 2 online and on air for the most accurate weather forecasts in Central Florida.
Download the WESH 2 News app to receive the most recent weather alerts.
The First Warning Weather Team includes the Chief First Warning Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda And Cam Tran.
