Nowcasting: Hurricane Helene

Helene made a landfall as strong Category 4 at 11pm and now sits over central GA. The center will track east of Macon, GA and Athens, GA as a strong tropical storm into Carolinas and Tennessee

Satellite shows Hurricane Helene tracking through Georgia

5AM Update: Tropical Storm Helene just lost its hurricane status but still boasts 70mph sustained winds and higher gusts and incredible size, as it treks north through the State of Georgia. The center will pass well east of Atlanta around 8am local time.

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Hurricane Path Tracker (as of 5am local time)

Credit: Zoom Earth

The Hurricane made landfall in Florida at 11pm, and the eye went over Valdosta, GA at 2am. The storm now sits just east of Macon, GA and the center will track east of Athens, GA by 8am.

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The storm has lead to catastrophic storm surge and flooding in both Florida and Georgia, and unfortunately two fatalities in a South Georgia tornado. This was the scene in Valdosta, GA at 2am local time:

The storm surge videos on the Gulf Coast of Florida have been downright scary also, as far south as Tampa Bay, FL.

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Tropical Storm Force Winds Probability

Tropical Storm force winds are expected for most of north Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. However, the worst of the winds will stay well east of the Atlanta metro and frankly east of a line from Valdosta to Macon to Athens.

There is no doubt the storm tracked further east than the NWS Guidance. Always trust the Euro, which nailed this track yesterday.

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Flash Flooding Risk

The predominant threat for the Atlanta Metro with the sheer amount of rainfall and the ensuing flooding.

A 5am scene in Buckhead, Atlanta parking lot

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The Storm will quickly clear out of the area later this morning, and we will get back to looking into the Winter Weather forecast by Monday as October begins. Stay safe folks!