Hurricane warning issued for Columbus as Helene makes its way towards Georgia

The National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane warning for Columbus as Hurricane Helene makes its way to Florida and eventually Georgia.

A hurricane warning means hurricane-force winds are expected somewhere within an area within 36 hours of the alert, which was issued just after 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Officials say Helene is expected to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane.

Georgia Emergency Managment officials stressed the importance Wednesday of residents being prepared all across the state.

Since the storm is fast-moving, it’s not going to have a lot of time to weaken as it moves out of Florida into Georgia, Will Lanxton, state meteorologist at GEMA, said during a press conference .

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw some Category 3 level impacts in extreme southern Georgia,” Lanxton said. “ ... But I do expect that we will see widespread Category 1, Category 2 hurricane impacts all throughout the hurricane warning area.”

“Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be urgently completed. Prepare for considerable wind damage,” the NWS said in its warning.

The warning states there is a potential for winds from 74mph to 110 mph , according to the NWS.

The warning says residents plan for life-threatening wind of equivalent category 1 or 2 hurricane force.

There is also a potential for major flooding from heavy rain, according to the warning.

The warning states the situation is also somewhat favorable for tornadoes.