Here’s what you need to know:
-
Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency Tuesday in anticipation of Tropical Storm Helene. President Joe Biden approved a “major disaster declaration” for FEMA to help Georgia.
-
The Georgia Emergency Management Association encourages everyone to make a plan and stay informed with official weather updates.
-
Tropical Storm Helene is expected to strengthen into Hurricane Helene on Wednesday as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico.
-
Tropical Storm Helene is expected to make landfall as a major storm in Big Bend, Florida late Thursday night, before moving across Georgia and reaching metro Atlanta late Thursday night and Friday morning.
-
Heavy rain and strong winds are expected, including tropical storm force gusts. Downed trees and power outages are likely. Sustained wind gusts of 25 to 35 miles per hour are likely, with gusts of 40 miles per hour and even 55 miles per hour possible.
-
There is a possibility of a short, fast-moving tornado along and east of Helene’s path.
-
All of metro Atlanta and northern Georgia are under a Flood Watch through Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service warns that rivers, creeks and other flood-prone areas could experience flooding. They are predicting between four and eight inches of rain.
-
A tropical storm warning has been issued for Upson County.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Severe Weather Team 2 App for alerts wherever you go]
Team 2 for heavy weather monitors Tropical Storm Helene 24 hours a day, ensuring you have the latest information to keep you and your family safe.
Tropical Storm Helene officially formed Tuesday morning in the western Caribbean Sea and is expected to strengthen into Hurricane Helen as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.
Brian Monahan, Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist says Helene is expected to make landfall late Thursday night along Florida’s Big Bend. But Monahan says the storm is moving quickly and will make its way across Georgia and into metro Atlanta and northern Georgia late Thursday night and Friday morning.
Helene is expected to bring heavy rainfall, tropical storm force winds and possible short-lived tornadoes.
But that’s not the first severe weather to hit metro Atlanta this week. Monahan is predicting heavy rain unrelated to Helene on Wednesday.
Because of that rainfall and the heavy rains Helene is expected to bring, there is a major concern about flooding along rivers, creeks and other flood-prone areas. The National Weather Service has placed most of Georgia under a Flood Watch through Friday afternoon.
Monahan says the threat of flash flooding increases Wednesday with a high risk over the mountains of northeast Georgia. Widespread rainfall from two inches to more than four inches is possible.
Monahan said the Atlanta area and northern Georgia could see between five and nine inches of rain on Friday.
On Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning for Upson County in the southern part of the Atlanta metro area.
Is Helene a hurricane?
As of 5:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, Tropical Storm Helene was not yet strong enough to become a hurricane.
It is expected to continue moving over the deep, warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday. As it moves over those waters, it is expected to intensify and form Hurricane Helene on Wednesday, but the exact timing is unclear.
It is expected to become a major hurricane, Category 2 or 3, when it makes landfall near Big Bend, Florida, on Thursday.
[INTERACTIVE: StormTracker 2HD Radar]
When is Helene moving to Georgia?
Brian Monahan, Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist says Helene is moving quickly. So once it makes landfall in Florida late Thursday night, it is expected to quickly reach Georgia and northern Georgia by late Thursday night and early Friday morning.
As it moves in, Georgia residents can expect heavy rain and strong winds. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour are likely with gusts of 40 miles per hour and even 55 miles per hour are possible.
There is a chance of a short, developing tornado along the track and east of Helene’s center. So depending on the exact path Helene takes, parts of metro Atlanta could see a tornado risk.
Has the government responded?
On Tuesday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency through Oct. 2. What does a state of emergency do? The order essentially frees up emergency funds for areas likely to be affected and mobilizes agencies to help with preparation, response, and recovery before and after a storm.
The measure will allow up to 500 Georgia National Guard troops to assist in storm preparation and response.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday also approved a “major disaster declaration” for FEMA to assist the state.
Tom Regan from Channel 2 spoke with officials from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency who say they are already preparing for the storm and are warning Georgia residents to stay alert and have a plan in place before the storm makes its impacts in the area.
[UPLOAD PHOTOS: Share your weather photos with us here]
