This product covers North and Central Georgia

**HELENE TO BRING UNPRECEDENTED WIND AND FLOODING IMPACTS TO NORTH AND
CENTRAL GEORGIA THROUGH FRIDAY**


NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Tropical Storm Warning has been upgraded to a Hurricane
Warning for Lamar, Monroe, and Upson

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Bibb, Bleckley,
Chattahoochee, Crawford, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Lamar,
Macon, Marion, Monroe, Muscogee, Peach, Pulaski, Schley,
Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Telfair, Twiggs, Upson,
Webster, and Wilcox
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baldwin, Banks,
Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee,
Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas,
Emanuel, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Glascock,
Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Hall, Hancock, Haralson, Harris,
Heard, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones,
Laurens, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Montgomery, Morgan,
Murray, Newton, North Fulton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding,
Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Rockdale, South Fulton, Spalding,
Taliaferro, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Troup, Union, Walker,
Walton, Warren, Washington, Wheeler, White, Whitfield, Wilkes,
and Wilkinson

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 670 miles south of Atlanta GA or about 610 miles
south-southwest of Macon GA
- 24.2N 86.2W
- Storm Intensity 90 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 12 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Hurricane Helene, currently southwest of the Florida Peninsula, will
accelerate northward over the eastern Gulf of Mexico today. Helene is
forecast to become a major hurricane before making landfall along the
Big Bend of Florida on this evening. Due to the intensity and fast
forward motion, unprecendented wind and flooding impacts, rivaling or
exceeding those of Hurricanes Opal (1995), Irma (2017) and Michael
(2018), are expected across the north and central Georgia.

Several areas have already received 2 to 4 inches of rain in the last
24 hours. Additional rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches, with localized
amounts over 10 inches, are expected. The highest amounts will occur
over a wide swath paralleling I-85 into northeast and east central
Georgia. Widespread flooding is expected with significant flash
flooding and moderate to major river flooding possible.

Tropical storm and hurricane force wind gusts, potentially exceeding
80 mph, are expected to begin across the southern portion of the
forecast area on this evening, then quickly spread north overnight
into Friday morning. Given the saturated soils, widespread downing of
trees and significant power outages are expected. Prepare for an
extended period of power loss!

Short-lived tornadoes will also be possible across east-central
Georgia today through early Friday morning, with the greatest
potential over areas north and east of the track of Helene.

Helene will be an expansive system with impacts occurring well away
from the storm center.

All preparations should be rushed to completion before impacts begin.
The time to act is now!


POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across northeast Georgia. 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.

Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
significant to extensive impacts across north and central Georgia.

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across central Georgia. Potential impacts in this area
include:
- Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
uninhabitable for weeks.
- Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
access routes impassable.
- Large areas with power and communications outages.

Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across the remainder of central and north Georgia.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across east central Georgia. 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 remaineder of north and central 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.

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.

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.

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 creating an emergency plan see ready.ga.gov
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Peachtree City GA around 1130 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- McDonough

* WIND
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind
- Peak Wind Forecast: 20-30 mph with gusts to 50 mph

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 58
to 73 mph
- The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: Plan for dangerous wind of equivalent strong tropical
storm force.
- PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect life and property
should be completed as soon as possible. Prepare for
significant wind damage.
- ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
- 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.

* FLOODING RAIN
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 3-6 inches, with locally
higher amounts

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for major
flooding rain
- The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from
the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are
likely.
- PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially
if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.
- ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take
action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos,
and ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while
increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides.
Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or
washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover
escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of
moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions
become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some
weakened or washed out.

* TORNADO
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few
tornadoes
- The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a
few tornadoes.
- PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to
tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before
hazardous weather arrives.
- ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter
quickly.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the
execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with
power and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings,
chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or
overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off,
shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown
off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- Family emergency plans: Federal Emergency Management Agency
- http://ready.gov/hurricanes
- Local weather conditions and forecasts:
- http://weather.gov/atlanta

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be
possible.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, north central,
northeast, northwest, southeast, and west central Georgia,
including the following areas, in central Georgia, Baldwin, Bibb,
Bleckley, Butts, Crawford, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Jasper,
Jones, Laurens, Monroe, Montgomery, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam,
Telfair, Twiggs, Wheeler, Wilcox and Wilkinson. In east central
Georgia, Emanuel, Glascock, Greene, Hancock, Jefferson, Johnson,
Taliaferro, Treutlen, Warren, Washington and Wilkes. In north
central Georgia, Barrow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Dawson, DeKalb,
Douglas, Fannin, Fayette, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry,
Lumpkin, Morgan, Newton, North Fulton, Pickens, Rockdale, South
Fulton, Union and Walton. In northeast Georgia, Banks, Clarke,
Jackson, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Towns and White. In
northwest Georgia, Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade,
Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Walker and
Whitfield. In southeast Georgia, Toombs. In west central Georgia,
Chattahoochee, Coweta, Harris, Heard, Lamar, Macon, Marion,
Meriwether, Muscogee, Pike, Schley, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter,
Talbot, Taylor, Troup, Upson and Webster.

* WHEN...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.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Areas of heavy rainfall will continue across much of north
and central Georgia through early Friday which will likely
lead to areas of flash flooding. Additional widespread
torrential rainfall is expected to overspread the area today
as Hurricane Helene approaches. Storm total rainfall of 4 to
10 inches with locally higher amounts over 12 inches are
expected through Friday. Widespread flooding is expected with
significant flash flooding and moderate to major river
flooding possible.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop.

&&