Hurricane Helene might lose a bit of its punch after making landfall in Florida on Thursday, but it is expected to bring heavy rains and flooding to metro Atlanta and North Georgia where it will likely still be a tropical storm when it hits.
The storm’s harshest impacts in the metro area and North Georgia are predicted to peak between Thursday afternoon and Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. The entire area in the NWS map — from just south of Atlanta up through the state’s northern border — is in a flood watch from Wednesday afternoon to Friday afternoon.
Most of that region is expected to get 8-12 inches of rain. The northeastern corner of the state could see 12-16 inches of rain in some areas.
Damaging winds will also be carried “unusually far inland” by the storm due to its size and speed, according to the NWS. Wind speeds are expected to reach 60 miles per hour in the metro Atlanta area.
South Georgia is currently under a hurricane warning. Helene strengthened into a hurricane late Wednesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.
NWS meteorologist Meredith Wyatt, based in Peachtree City, said Helene will likely cause flash floods in the Atlanta area and across North Georgia.
Even before Helene moves into the metro area, a cold front over Alabama and western Tennessee is expected to bring a few inches of rain to the city on Wednesday. The region’s parched soils should be able to absorb most of that initial moisture, but it could mean they are saturated by the time Helene’s outer rainbands arrive late Thursday afternoon.
The storm is projected to drop an additional 4 to 8 inches of rain, with localized totals reaching 10 inches or more. That one-two punch will heighten the risk of flooding, Wyatt said, particularly in urban areas packed with impermeable roads and buildings, like Atlanta.
Metro Atlanta has experienced significant flooding during major storms in recent years, in part due to an aging stormwater infrastructure that often can’t handle heavy rains.
Then there is the wind threat.
Wind gusts that could reach 60 miles per hour or stronger are expected in the Atlanta area from Thursday evening through Friday morning. After heavy rains have the loosened soils, Wyatt said Atlantans should expect to see downed trees and power lines.
“Coupled with the heavy rainfall, it’s not going to take much,” Wyatt said.
Amid flood and rain concerns, the Georgia Department of Agriculture urged the state’s farmers to prepare a plan to “keep your family and farm safe.”
Credit: Screenshot
Credit: Screenshot
Gov. Brian Kemp has ordered a state of emergency in preparation for the storm and its impacts.
The Georgia Department of Transportation has activated all of its crews statewide, spokeswoman Natalie Dale said. GDOT is monitoring the forecasts and will shuffle where crews go Thursday based on the needs, she said.
In the metro area, she said crews started removing debris from roadways and clearing drains on Tuesday. They’ll keep doing sweeps throughout the week. They’ve also secured equipment at construction sites. Drivers should expect downed trees and standing water and avoid traveling if possible.
”If you don’t have to be on the road, stay off the road,” Dale said.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
-Staff writer Sara Gregory contributed to this report.
