RELATED: An updated list of school closures and event postponements.
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a catastrophic Category 4 storm in Florida’s Big Bend region after 11 p.m. on Thursday night. Georgia remains under a state of emergency as flooding, downed trees and power outages spread across metro Atlanta.
For current watches and warnings from the National Weather Service, click here. Further NWS weather advisory information is available for metro Atlanta and Southwest Georgia.
Need to know information: In Atlanta, call 311 to report non-emergency incidences of trees down or blocking roadways and non-emergency flooding incidents. For Power outages or down power lines, call Georgia Power at 1-888-891-0938.
In DeKalb County, call 911 for emergencies including localized flooding, down trees and down power lines. Call 404-294-2911 for non-emergencies. For water outages and sewer spills, call 770-270-6243. For power outages, call Georgia Power.
Friday, Sept. 27, 8:00 a.m.
As Helene moves past metro Atlanta, flooding continues to be a concern. Peachtree Creek has spilled over its banks, blocking roads and leading to a boat rescue at Peachtree Park Apartments.
Nancy Creek has also topped its banks at Wiecua Road in Buckhead and there are reports of flooding below Morgan Falls Dam on the Chattahoochee in Sandy Springs. We’re working to get more details.
A flash flood emergency remains in effect until 1 p.m.
Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order authorizing an additional 1,000 Georgia National Guard troops to assist in ongoing recovery with the 250 already in the field.
As of 8 a.m., more than 1 million people are without power across Georgia. Nearly 60,000 of those outages are in Fulton and DeKalb.
Friday, Sept. 27, 6:20 a.m.
During the 6 a.m. hour, residents of the Peachtree Park Apartments in Buckhead were being rescued by boats after flood water inundated the complex, according to WSB. There were numerous reports of trees down on roadways around the city.
There is still concern for more flooding, downed trees and power outages in the metro as Helene passes by us.
Friday, Sept. 27, 6:25 a.m.
Helene continues to churn toward metro Atlanta now downgraded to a tropical storm. In a 5 a.m bulletin from the National Hurricane Center, the center of Helene was located 40 miles east of Macon and was moving north with sustained 70 mph winds.
More than 800,000 residents and businesses are without power across the state as of 6 a.m., with 23,000 of those outages in Fulton and DeKalb, according to poweroutage.us.
Friday, Sept. 27 at 2:55 a.m.
Flash flood warnings remain in effect until 5:15 a.m. for Atlanta and Sandy Springs.
Friday, Sept. 27 at 2:20 a.m.
More than 431,000 customers are without power across Georgia. In Fulton County, roughly 7,100 customers have no power. DeKalb County is reporting just over 13,000 customers without power. Road closures are also being reported due to heavy rains. Check 511ga.org for the latest traffic information and road closures.
Friday, Sept. 27 at 12:55 a.m.
Hurricane Helene just crossed over into Georgia as a Category 1 with winds at 90 mph.
Friday, Sept. 27 at 12:30 a.m.
Hurricane Helene is expected to cause major disruptions to north and central Georgia overnight, including flooding. Strong winds are likely to cause numerous power outages.
Friday, Sept. 27 at Midnight
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Taylor County, FL just after 11 p.m. on Thursday night as a Category 4 with 140 mph sustained winds and higher gusts, according to the National Hurricane Center.
A flash flood warning was re-issued for Atlanta until 5:30 a.m. on Friday morning as Helene makes it way through Georgia overnight.
In Wheeler County, GA, two people were killed in a Helene-spawned tornado after their mobile home was flipped over, according to a report from the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
In the past hour, power outages across the state have increased dramatically to nearly 70,000, with nearly 13,000 of those in Fulton and DeKalb, according to poweroutage.us.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 11:00 p.m.
Hurricane Helene is making landfall as a Category 4 storm in Taylor County in the Big Bend region of Florida, according to a report from The Weather Channel.
In its 11 p.m. advisory, the National Hurricane Center said Helene had sustained winds of 140 mph and that “catastrophic storm surge and life-threatening winds” were imminent.
In Georgia, the number of power outages has jumped to more than 31,000 – more than 12,000 of those are in Fulton and DeKalb.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 10:30 p.m.
Multiple power outages are being reported across metro Atlanta. Nearly 3,000 customers are affected by 75 outages in Fulton County, including hundreds in Buckhead and Sandy Springs. More than 20,000 customers are without power across the state. View the entire Georgia Power outage map here.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 9:45 p.m.
Helene has intensified again as it prepares to come ashore in Florida’s Big Bend region. The National Weather Service has clocked winds at 140 mph.
In Atlanta, sustained heavy rain has returned and both Fulton and DeKalb counties remain under a flash flood warning until 3:15 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service has expanded its hurricane warning into south metro Atlanta as Helene continues to churn toward landfall in Florida. The alert says hurricane force wind gusts are possible in metro Atlanta and high terrain in the northeast Georgia mountains.
Here is the 8 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center:
…EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE HELENE NEARING THE NORTHEAST GULF COAST…
…CATASTROPHIC STORM SURGE AND LIFE-THREATENING WINDS EXPECTED IN THE FLORIDA BIG BEND AREA…
SUMMARY OF 800 PM EDT…0000 UTC…INFORMATION —
LOCATION…28.7N 84.3W
ABOUT 80 MI…125 KM WSW OF CEDAR KEY FLORIDA
ABOUT 115 MI…190 KM S OF TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…130 MPH…215 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NNE OR 25 DEGREES AT 23 MPH…37 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…942 MB…27.82 INCHES
Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m.
Hurricane Helene has intensified to a potentially catastrophic Category 4 storm ahead of landfall along Florida’s Big Bend region. Here’s the National Hurricane Center bulletin:
...HELENE NOW AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE... A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft currently investigating Helene recently found that the maximum sustained winds have increased to 130 mph (215 km/h). The minimum central pressure has also decreased to 947 mb (27.96 inches) based on dropsonde data. SUMMARY OF 620 PM EDT...2220 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...28.0N 84.5W ABOUT 120 MI...195 KM W OF TAMPA FLORIDA ABOUT 165 MI...265 KM S OF TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...130 MPH...215 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 25 DEGREES AT 23 MPH...37 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...947 MB...27.96 INCHES
NPR has launched an app for local updates along the path of Hurricane Helene, click here to see.
Thursday, Sept. 25, at 5:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service said in its 5 p.m. update that Helene is likely to reach catastrophic Category 4 by the time it makes landfall along Florida’s Big Bend area this evening.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 125 mph with higher gusts. Weakening is expected after Helene moves inland, but the fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the
southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the
southern Appalachians.
The storm is about 130 miles west of Tampa and 175 miles south of Tallahassee and moving at 25 mph.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 4:35 p.m.
Brookhaven City Hall, recreation centers, and administrative offices have closed for the week, and Peachtree Creek Greenway is now closed due to flooding. As of Thursday afternoon, the water level has spiked to over 8 feet in the last 24 hours and is continuing to rise.
Brookhaven Police Department issued a warning to residents: “Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall tonight as a Category 3, possible Category 4 storm by 11 p.m. DeKalb will be on the severe side, facing high winds of 39-70 mph and 4-8 inches of heavy rain. The storm will arrive around 8 p.m. The West Nancy Creek area is at high risk for flooding and flood damage. Please shelter in place and avoid the roads.” A creek walk with DeKalb County Commissioner Michelle Long Spears scheduled to take place on Saturday has not been rescheduled at this time.
Updates can be found at https://www.instagram.com/brookhavengagov.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 3:50 p.m.
Parts of metro Atlanta, including Sandy Springs, are now under a flash flood warning until 9:15 p.m , according to the National Weather Service. The entire region remains under a tropical storm warning.
The AJC reports that both Publix and Kroger have issued statements asking customers to remain calm ahead of the storm.
Kroger urged patrons not to “panic-buy” and purchase only the supplies they need to weather the storm. Publix shared a similar sentiment adding that its employees will be constantly restocking essential shelves.
Thursday, Sept. 26, 3:00 p.m.
Helene has strengthened into a major Category 3 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center. The hurricane has sustained winds of 120 mph with stronger gusts.
MARTA has announced disrupted service to many bus routes and said select train trips may be canceled because of staffing shortages. Bus re-routes can be found here. For updates, click here.
Thursday, Sept. 26, 2:00 p.m.
Gov. Brian Kemp held a press conference this afternoon updating efforts by state agencies to respond to approaching Hurricane Helene. Kemp said he is expecting statewide power outages, flooding and debris.
“I urge people to make final preparations as the storm approaches the state,” Kemp said. “We will respond with full force as soon we are able to do so.”
Kemp said 200 members of the Georgia National Guard have already been activated and 500 or more could be called up. All Georgia State Patrol troopers are on-duty and 120 ranger teams from the Department of Natural Resources are also being staged throughout the state.
The state has already opened eight emergency shelters in the state, mostly in South Georgia, and 215 Florida evacuees are already in them. The Red Cross is preparing to set up additional shelters in the state as needed.
Thousands of state agency personnel are staging across the state to remove debris, downed trees, deliver critical supplies, and participate in urban search and rescue.
Kemp said he also expects that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will have to shut down at some point tonight.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 1:05 p.m.
Atlanta has been placed in the higest risk level – level 4 of 4 – for flooding rainfall due to Hurricane Helene.
According to CNN, the rare high risk area extends from the Florida Panhandle, through many major population centers in Georgia and into the mountains of western North Carolina.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 12:20 p.m.
President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Georgia on Thursday morning, according to The Associated Press. Earlier this week, he issued a similar declaration for Florida so federal authorities could position generators, food and water, along with search-and-rescue and power restoration teams.
Georgia Power said in a press release that it is making its final preparations to respond to anticipated widespread damage and potential for extended power outages across the state. More than 10,000 personnel are on the ground currently and additional staff from sister company Mississippi Power are also staging in the state.
“Helene is a very large storm, moving into South Georgia with very little time to substantially weaken, and we expect the high winds and heavy rain to cause significant damage in many of our communities,” said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power. “Our teams are well trained and experienced, and we’ve been watching this storm and making every preparation throughout the week. As conditions are safe, our teams will be in the field working to restore power as quickly possible. Even so, we encourage customers to keep safety first in the coming days and prepare for the potential of power outages that could last multiple days due to the size and extensive reach of this storm.”
Thursday, Sept. 26 at Noon
The National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Helene is nearly at Category 3 strength as it churns through the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. CNN reports that some beach communities in south Florida are already experiencing flooding. The storm is moving to the north-northeast at 14 mph and just after 10 a.m. was about 290 miles south of Apalachicola.
United Airlines has suspended flights to four Florida airports due to Hurricane Helene: Tampa International Airport, Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International Airport, Key West International Airport and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
There were more than 1,000 flight cancellations across the United States as of 11 a.m., according to FlightAware.
GPB’s Sofi Gratas reports that flood warnings have been issued for many parts of Georgia and a tornado watch has been issued for South Georgia.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 11:00 a.m.
Georgia Power is already reporting more than 5,000 customer outages across the state as of 10:15 a.m. with Helene still hours away from arrival.
Our GPB colleague Greg Blankenship is reporting that out-of-state electrical utility trucks are already staging in areas around the state, including Macon.
You can track and report outages on Georgia Power’s outage map.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 10:30 a.m.
CNN is reporting that the storm duration in Atlanta will last from 10 p.m. tonight until 2 p.m. on Friday. Peak winds could ranges from 50 to 75 mph from Friday at 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. Stronger winds are expected on the east side compared to the west side of the city. Rainfall could measure 5 to 8 inches.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 10:00 a.m.
The National Weather Service of Atlanta shared a post on X that a tornado watch has been issued for areas in Georgia and South Carolina until 9 p.m. tonight. Meanwhile, FlightAware currently shows over 100 flight delays and over 100 flight cancellations so far Thursday at Hartsfield-Jackson.
Rough Draft is hearing reports of supermarket shelves starting to empty of essential items. Last night, two of our reporters were at the Kroger and Publix on Ponce de Leon Avenue and witnessed empty water and bread shelves.
The AJC reports that the Kroger on Glenwood Avenue has dwindling supplies of water and bread this morning, as well as long lines.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 9:00 a.m.
GPB’s Grant Blankenship reports that GEMA/HS will open shelters in South Georgia ahead of Helene. These shelters will provide a safe place for those in the storm’s path to seek refuge. Click here to view more information about shelter locations and availability. See the shelters on a map here.
The Georgia DOT is warning of significant impacts on the state’s roadways. According to a press release, motorists can expect detours and road closures due to debris, downed trees and power lines and potential roadway flooding as the department responds to the weather event. Be sure to follow 511GA for up-to-date road closures. Motorists are also reminded that in the event that a signalized intersection has no power, treat that intersection as a four-way stop.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8:20 a.m.
Hurricane Helene strengthened to a Category 2 storm this moring with sustained winds of 100 mph with higher gusts. The storm is expected to intensify throughout the day and make landfall near Apalachicola as a Category 3 or potentially Category 4 later today.
Tropical storm conditions have already begun in the Florida Keys and portions of south Florida, and these conditions are expected to spread northward across the state and into Georgia and South Carolina through tonight, according to the National Hurricane Center.
CNN reports that more than 800 flights have been canceled nationwide due to the approaching storm.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6:38 a.m.
According to FlightAware, 84 flights in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have been canceled today due to Helene. Track your flight here.
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 6:15 p.m.
CNN is reporting that Hurricane Helene is forecast to reach catastrophic Category 4 strength when it makes landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 5:40 p.m.
Mayor Andre Dickens said at a Wednesday, Sept. 25, press conference that the city of Atlanta is prepared for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential floods from Hurricane Helene.
The preparation includes a 24/7 staffing plan, activated emergency services and prepared shelters for the unhoused. Response teams, including the Department of Watershed, are monitoring flood-prone areas. The department has already cleared storm drains to mitigate flooding. Various departments are also coordinating tree and storm debris removal.
“We’re seeing the effects of heavy rains that are coming our way,” Dickens said. “We have to get prepared for whatever may come, so we prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”
Read the full story here.
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m.
We’ve got a list of school closures and event postponements at this link and will be constantly updating it as Helene approaches.
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 4:30 p.m.
Grady Hospital issued a statement notifying the public that it will remain open for operations regardless of the severe weather in the area:
“We are aware of the severe weather expected in our area due to Hurricane Helene. The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority. With that in mind, all of Grady’s clinics and neighborhood health centers will be closed starting Thursday, September 26, at Noon and remain closed on Friday, September 27. All elective and non-urgent procedures scheduled for Friday, September 27, will be rescheduled for a later date.
Grady Hospital will remain open and operational regardless of severe weather conditions. Grady’s leadership and emergency management team will closely monitor the latest weather developments.”
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 4:25 p.m.
Atlanta Public Schools has cancelled classes for Thursday and Friday.
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 2:30 p.m.
Updates and tips from Georgia Power and the Red Cross
From GPB’s Orlando Montoya:
Hurricane force winds are now possible as far north as Macon as Georgia braces for Hurricane Helene.
The National Hurricane Center’s latest update has the entire state under hurricane or tropical storm warnings or a tropical storm watch.
The heaviest winds are expected Thursday night into Friday morning.
That will come after a front drops heavy rain today, making the ground wet and setting the stage for widespread power outages when the winds arrive.
John Kraft is the media spokesman for Georgia Power.
“It’s appropriate to call 911 if you see a downed power line,” he said. “We also caution residents who want to get out and start cleaning up storm debris to watch for downed wires that could be tangled in trees, fallen trees, lines that could be hidden in submerged water that could still be energized.”
The Red Cross is urging residents to prepare for three days without power.
Suzanne Lawler is the organization’s spokesperson in Georgia.
“Charging cellphones may become hard if you lose power,” she said. “So all of those phone numbers that we have in our phones and we just push a button and they just dial somebody, that may not happen in a storm. So you want to write down people’s phone numbers. Any important phone numbers that you have in your phone, write them down right now and have that with your important documents.”
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 2:15 p.m.
Some schools have already cancelled classes or events ahead of Helene’s arrival: Banks County Schools (closed Thursday and Friday); Clayton County Schools (indoor/outdoor events cancelled for today and Thursday); Hall County Schools (virtual classes Thursday and Friday); and Muscogee County Schools (closed Thursday and Friday).
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 1:00 p.m.
An important update from Atlanta Watershed Management:
Due to a strong low-pressure system that may produce heavy rainfall, high winds, and potentially localized flooding, it is vital that Atlanta residents keep a close eye on local weather advisories. Residents should take the necessary precautions if they are under a flood warning or encounter flood conditions.
- Find safe shelter right away.
- Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. The water can be contaminated or electrically charged. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
- Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
Depending on the type of flooding:
- Evacuate if told to do so.
- Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
- Stay where you are.
- Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
For more information, please visit www.ready.gov/floods#prepare.
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 12:40 p.m.
Tune into GPB.org at 5 p.m. today to watch the GEMA press conference about Hurricane Helene.
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 12:35 p.m.
An update from GPB’s Sofi Gratas on how Hurricane Helene might affect Georgia’s peanut crops:
By late Tuesday afternoon, Jeremy Kichler with the University of Georgia Extension Office in Southwest Georgia’s Colquitt County, said he had farmers coming to him with peanut crop samples.
“To have the maturity checked on them,” Kichler said.
If they’re mature, Kichler says farmers will likely harvest crops up until the storm hits to stem potential losses.
“That’s the big question that we have right now is when to dig, if to dig, and you know, how far off from optimum maturity they are,” Kichler said.
Georgia peanuts are a multi-million dollar crop for the state. Cotton, a billion dollar crop, is also at risk with the storm though mostly if the white, fluffy bolls are already exposed.
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 11:15 a.m.
Helene was upgraded to a hurricane just before 11 a.m. this morning. The latest forecast for Georgia shows the entire state under various watches and warnings as the hurricane moves up Florida’s Gulf Coast and eventually to Georgia and parts of the Southeastern US.
This image from the National Weather Service shows hurricane warnings in dark red, hurricane watches in bright red, tropical storm watches in pink, flood watches in green and high wind watches in gold. Visit weather.gov for your local forecast.
Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 3 p.m.
GEMA held a press conference to give the state of Georgia’s first official response to Tropical Storm Helene. GEMA Director James C. Stallings led the conference with a few updates on the storm and how the state is preparing to respond to the storm.
“GEMA and Homeland Security is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Helene’s forecast and working with state and local partners to ensure that resources are available when needed,” he said. “We have prepositioned response teams and equipment to quickly address emergencies as they arise.
Stallings shared that Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a state of emergency for all Georgia counties.
“That makes the state resources available to all local governments and entities within the storm’s potential impacted area,” he said.
Tropical Storm Helene is expected to intensify quickly into a major hurricane tomorrow morning and become a major hurricane at Category 3 or stronger by Thursday.
“Heavy rainfall will begin across Georgia as soon as Wednesday night into Thursday morning,” Stallings said. “Heavier rain will start to overspread the state throughout the day and on Thursday. The heaviest impacts for us will be in Southern Georgia and we expect those to enter the state early with heavy rain and strong wind.”
He explained how this storm is very different than the most recent Hurricane Debby which he says was “a very slow, heavy rain event.”
“This is going to be a fast moving wind event with rain and so we anticipate a very different response,” he said.
Georgians in certain parts of the state can possibly expect high force winds, down tress causing power outages, flash flooding, tornadoes, and more. North and Central Georgia can expect to see major impacts as early as Friday morning to Friday afternoon.
Stallings encourages those wanting to stay up to date with information to follow official GEMA social media accounts.
Tuesday, Sept. 24 at noon
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper issued a statement urging farmers and producers to prepare for the severe weather coming from Tropical Storm Helene.
“Our team at the Georgia Department of Agriculture is closely monitoring the development of Tropical Storm Helene in coordination with GEMA and other state agencies,” Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said. “To Georgia farmers and producers in the potential impact zone – now is the time to prepare and make a plan to keep your family and your farm safe. As the storm approaches, we urge all Georgians in its path to remain vigilant and follow a trusted news source for updates.”
Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 11:30 a.m.
The National Hurricane Center provided an update with the latest news on what is now Tropical Storm Helene. NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rhome says the storm has acquired enough organization to be classified a tropical storm instead of being classified a Potential Tropical Cyclone No. 9.
He explained the storm will approach the Florida peninsula as a major storm on Thursday.
“It is going to be a big storm — and by ‘big’ I mean not intensity; I mean size,” he said. “And big storms cause big problems.”
Rhome says those in states like Georgia, South Caroline and Alabama can expect more updates on the storm in subsequent updates.
In the excessive rainfall outlook, he says surrounding states, including Georgia, can expect to receive heavy rainfall and potential flooding.
“We could see a potential big rain event unfolding for you.”
Monday, Sept. 23
The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, a disturbance located over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and headed into the Gulf of Mexico. The organization forecasts over the next seven days that the weather system has a 90% chance of becoming a tropical storm and, potentially, a hurricane.
If that happens, its name will be “Helene.”
As of Monday, Sept. 23, the National Weather Service reported the system, southwest of Cuba, is moving toward the north near 6 mph (9 km/h). A northwestward motion is expected on Tuesday and Tuesday night, followed by a faster northward or north-northeastward motion on Wednesday and Thursday.
“On the forecast track, the center of the system is forecast to move across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico during the next couple of days,” the agency predicted. “Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph (45 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected during the next few days, and the system is forecast to become a hurricane on Wednesday and continue strengthening as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico.”
A map of the potential storm cone (see image above) predicts that the center of the cone will cross the Florida panhandle through the center of Georgia, potentially bringing heavy rains and strong winds on Thursday and Friday.
