ATLANTA — Much of metro Atlanta and the north Georgia region already experienced a downpour of rain on Wednesday evening. The rest of the state is turning its eyes to the Gulf of Mexico, where Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall Thursday night.
The National Hurricane Center reported that Helene had strengthened to a Category 4 storm.
11Alive Weather Impact team has forecasted Helene to remain a hurricane in southern and central Georgia and a tropical storm as it cuts through north Georgia.
Rain in Georgia on Wednesday wasn't related to Helene, but it has saturated the region, undeniably increasing conditions for flooding as Helene tracks toward Georgia.
Many Georgia schools have already canceled classes on Thursday and Friday; here's our current list: Georgia school closings for Hurricane Helene
Live updates for Metro Atlanta, north Georgia ahead of Hurricane Helene | Thursday, Sept. 26
6:34 p.m. | Flash Flood Warning issued for Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport until 9:15 p.m.
6:27 a.m. | Helen has now strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.
6:18 p.m. | Down tree spotted between Clark's Bridge and Breezy Road in Hall County.
6:12 p.m. | Local agencies from Missouri arrive in Georgia to assist.
5:47 p.m. | Shelters are now open in Valdosta for anyone who wants to leave their home before the storm arrives.
5:42 p.m. | FEMA spokesperson Michael Hart talked about FEMA's role during emergencies and why Georgians should take action and prepare now. "I encourage everyone to really to take this storm extremely seriously. Don't compare this storm to any other storm that has occurred in the past. Every storm has its own individual characteristics and their own individual threats."
5:24 p.m. | A Hurricane Warning has been issued for Pike, Spalding, Butts, Jasper Counties
5:00 p.m. | Here's how to sign up for Atlanta's emergency notification system before the storm.
4:54 p.m. | The Atlanta VA announced that all clinics will be closed on Friday due to Hurricane Helene.
4:10 p.m. | City of Atlanta announces crews are out cleaning stormwater drains in preparation for Hurricane Helene's arrival.
4:00 p.m. | 11Alive meteorologist Chris Holcomb details the last updates on Hurricane Helene.
3:34 p.m. | Tornado Warning issued for McRae, Alamo, and Helena, Georgia until 3:45 p.m.
3:25 p.m. | Video captured of flooding at the Chattooga River
3:19 p.m. | A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Fayette Counties until 9:15 p.m.
3:17 p.m. | Tornado Warning has been issued for Telfair County until 3:45 p.m.
3:13 p.m. | A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Griffin, McDonough, and Thomaston until 9:15 a.m.
3:06 p.m. | Tornado Warning issued for Lumber City, Scotdale, and Towns, Georgia until 3:30 p.m.
2:58 p.m. | Tornado Warning continues for Telfair County until 3:15 p.m.
2:40 p.m. | The National Hurricane Center has provided an update that shows Helene has strengthened to a Category 3 storm.
2:30 p.m. | More tornado warnings in south Georgia, this one in Telfair County. GEMA also highlights some damage that's already occurred in parts of Georgia:
2:25 p.m. | Update from Georgia Power:
1:51 p.m. | Tornado Warning issued for Toombs County until 2:15 p.m.
1:50 p.m. |
1:43 p.m. | Tornado Warning issued for Dublin and East Dublin, Georgia, until 2:15 p.m.
1:30 p.m. | Gov. Kemp and GEMA officials provide an update on Helene as it moves toward Georgia. You can watch the entire press conference below:
1:09 p.m. | Tornado Warning issued for Dodge, Laurens, Wheeler Counties until 1:30 p.m.
1:04 p.m. | Tornado Warning issued for Rentz, Georgia, until 1:30 p.m.
12:49 p.m. | City of Atlanta posts updates regarding trash and recycling collection for the next couple days.
12:04 p.m. | Flood Warning extended from today at 3:42 p.m. to Saturday at 6:12 p.m. for Fulton County, GA
11:59 a.m. | Due to inclement weather from Hurricane Helene, Georgia Aquarium will be closed on Friday, September 27 with plans to reopen on Saturday, September 28 from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
11:57 a.m. | Cobb County announces shelters that will be open during the storm.
11:45 a.m. | The Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security now recommends all schools in the state close for tomorrow, Friday September 27.
11:45 a.m. | The City of Atlanta lists numbers to call in case of an emergency from the storm.
11:25 a.m. | Flood Warning issued for Fulton County from 6:57 p.m. on Thursday until 11 a.m. on Friday.
11:17 a.m. | A high risk of excessive rainfall is being predicted by the National Weather Service
11:10 a.m. | Delta issues travel waiver for customers affected by Hurricane Helene. For more details, click here.
11:09 a.m. | Hurricane Helene shows signs of rapid intensification
11:03 a.m. | President Biden declared that an emergency exists in the State of Georgia and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Helene.
11:01 a.m. | Flood Warning issued for Friday at 8:29 a.m. for Cedar Creek, near Cedartown, Georgia.
11:00 a.m. | National Guard positioned to offer support in Perry, Florida, as the storm approaches.
10:45 a.m. | Zoo Atlanta announces it will close early Thursday due to inclement weather. Specifically, gates will close at noon, and grounds will close at 1 p.m.
9:55 a.m. | Not our direct area, but a sign of Helene's incoming impact: Areas of southeast and eastern Georgia, along with South Carolina, are now under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. tonight:
8:30 a.m. | WINDS: Big question right now is how strong the winds will get when Helene arrives in our region. Whether the highest range of those possibilities becomes a reality depends on how the storm ultimately tracks -- more directly at Atlanta would mean stronger winds, farther to the east would mean less strong winds -- but as you can see below the chances for 30+ mph winds at a minimum will be very high.
8:15 a.m. | Here's a look at the airport situation in Atlanta. Mostly, for now, flights are primarily impacted between here and Florida. And keep in mind if you're worried about the air travel situation -- Helene is going to arrive in metro Atlanta/north Georgia in the overnight hours -- think 3 a.m., 4 a.m. tomorrow. Not a time when flights are taking off and landing at Hartsfield-Jackson.
7:46 a.m. | With the 8 a.m. update by the National Hurricane Center, Helene has strengthened into a Category 2 storm over the Gulf of Mexico.
7:32 a.m. | The City of Atlanta's 311 services hotline is also staying in operation overnight. The hotline can be contacted at 311 or 404-546-0311 or via email at ATL311@atlantaga.gov.
7:30 a.m. | We've now gotten word from the Salvation Army they'll be opening a shelter tonight at 469 Marietta Street in Atlanta. Cots will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. They say they have 10 available for men, five for women, and 10 for families. The shelter will be open from 9 p.m. tonight through 8 a.m. tomorrow morning.
7:25 a.m. | Just to track back a little, as of right now the most up-to-date path projections have Helene going a little farther east of Atlanta, which would spare our metro a little bit of the worst of the possible scenarios.
7:20 a.m. | Reminder that the next advisory update from the National Hurricane Center is coming in at 8 a.m.
7:00 a.m. | Live report:
6:45 a.m. | The majority of school districts in the region have closed in some respect (many for Thursday and Friday, some just Friday). See our full list here.
5 a.m. | The storm is expected to make landfall along Florida's Big Bend later Thursday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to metro Atlanta and surrounding areas.
Residents can expect tropical storm-force winds, with gusts reaching 60-70 mph, potential flooding, and brief tornadoes. Many schools and businesses are closed as a precaution, and power outages are expected due to falling trees.
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