After Hurricane Helene devastated the southeastern U.S., more rainfall is expected in the southern Appalachian region through Monday, Sept. 30.
The record-breaking storm made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region late Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane, with wind speeds reaching 140 mph. It then tore through several states, causing dozens of deaths and leaving millions without power in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Now weakened to a post-tropical cyclone, its remnants continue to linger.
More: National Hurricane Center keeping eyes on developing Gulf system as Helene floods Appalachians
How much rainfall will Western NC receive?
According to the latest National Weather Service forecast, the following areas can expect to see up to 1 inch of additional rain:
- Western North Carolina, including Asheville
- Eastern Tennessee, including Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
As the system makes its way through the eastern U.S., the following areas could receive up to 2 inches of rainfall:
- Virginia
- Kentucky
- Ohio
- West Virginia
- Pennsylvania
2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far: 10 named storms, including six hurricanes
Earlier this year, experts warned of the potential for a record-breaking hurricane season with 17 to 24 named storms to form this season — of which eight to 13 will spin up into hurricanes. An average year sees 14 named storms, of which seven are hurricanes.
With a little more than two months remaining for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, there have already been 10 named storms, including six hurricanes:
- Tropical Storm Alberto : Made landfall on the Texas coast in June with some flooding, affecting the region less than initially forecast.
- Hurricane Beryl : Hit the Texas coast July 8 as a Category 1 hurricane on the Texas coast, causing at least 38 deaths and setting records for tornado spinoffs.
- Tropical Storm Chris : Brought heavy rainfall and flooding to parts of Mexico in early July.
- Hurricane Debby : Made landfall near Steinhatchee, Florida, on Aug. 5 and caused severe damage along the East Coast, resulting in at least 10 deaths.
- Hurricane Ernesto : Struck Puerto Rico on Aug. 24 with significant flooding and then hit Bermuda. It was a moderately strong hurricane with three indirect deaths.
- Hurricane Francine : Made landfall in Louisiana on Sept. 11 as a Category 2 hurricane near Terrebonne Parish, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall before rapidly weakening after landfall.
- Tropical Storm Gordon : Developed Sept. 13 but was hindered by wind shear and had minimal intensification. It weakened to a tropical depression Sept. 15 before degenerating into a trough of low pressure Sept. 17.
- Hurricane Helene : First noted by the NHC on Sept. 17 as a potential system in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. By Sept. 23, it was designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine due to its imminent threat to land. It developed into Tropical Storm Helene on Sept. 24 and intensified into a hurricane the next day. Helene made landfall east of the Aucilla River at peak intensity on Sept. 26, causing significant damage across several states and leaving millions without power. It was the strongest to strike the Big Bend region of Florida on record.
- Hurricane Isaac : On Sept. 25, the NHC began tracking a non-tropical low in the open Atlantic that could transition into a tropical system. By Sept. 26, the low had detached from a frontal boundary and transitioned into Tropical Storm Isaac. The storm further intensified and became a hurricane on Sept. 27. Still active, the storm poses no immediate threat.
- Tropical Storm Joyce : A tropical wave moved off the coast of West Africa on Sept. 22, producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. As it moved through favorable conditions, a broad low-pressure area formed along the wave. By Sept. 27, the system, located midway between the Leeward Islands and Cabo Verde, strengthened and developed into Tropical Storm Joyce, bringing gale-force winds. Still active, the storm poses no immediate threat.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: More rainfall expected in southern Appalachians through Monday, including North Carolina
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