Helene produces ‘historic and catastrophic flooding’, tornado risk in North Carolina; slowdown expected soon

(WGHP) — Helene brought with it major severe weather as its bands crossed North Carolina.

As of 5 p.m. Friday, Helene was about 50 miles south-southeast of Louisville, Kentucky, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm, now a post-tropical cyclone, has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph with possible gusts higher than that and is moving north-northwest at 17 mph.

NHC reports, “Historic, catastrophic and life-threatening flash and urban flooding, including numerous major landslides, will continue across portions of the southern Appalachians through this evening, followed by gradual improvement tonight and into Saturday. Widespread serious river flooding is ongoing, some of which will be major to record breaking.”

Flooding & Damage

One person was killed Friday morning in Yadkin County when a tree fell on their car while they were driving , the North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed. A 2006 Nissan passenger car was traveling east on Old U.S. 421 at about 8:15 a.m. when a large oak tree fell from the westbound shoulder across the roadway, landing on top of the Nissan.

Video from Wilkes County shows water rushing over normally dry land at Cub Creek Park .

Wilkes County Emergency Services is now in operation, but earlier in the day the Wilkes County 911 Center lost its primary operations , forcing officials to roll over calls to Ashe County.

Thursday night, the Wilkes Rescue Squad responded to a scene on Reddies Street , off of Dixie Hill Road, in the Millers Creek community. No one was injured. Wilkes Rescue Squad Chief David Wyatt says it was a great teamwork effort with a great outcome.

In Surry County, video captured a glimpse of the massive flooding that has overtaken certain areas . County officials ask anyone in Surry County whose home was damaged by the storm to call the Surry County Permitting & Inspections Office at (336) 401-8300 and warn residents to ensure any contractors hired for repairs are legally licensed to do so.

Greensboro police said, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 1 p.m., officers had responded to 16 reports of trees down and nine accidents. There were also four signals out, one call for traffic assistance and one call for flooding.

Downed trees were reported on Randleman Road and Interstate 73, near I-840 , in Greensboro.

The Alamance County Sheriff’s Office answered a call for help from Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard on Friday. According to ACSO, Yancey County has been dealing with washed-out roads and flooded areas which are making it difficult to help residents. ACSO sent a team of four deputies with the Bearcat Armored Vehicle to help.

North Carolina Forecast

Heavy rainfall struck western North Carolina with multiple storms bringing more than a foot of rain to the region.

The Piedmont Triad saw its worst weather mid-morning Friday with gusts to over 40 mph and more locally heavy rainfall, according to FOX8 Chief Meteorologist Van Denton. Most had 1 to 2 inches from Helene overnight into today with a few pockets seeing more.

Total rainfall over the past few days generally added up to 2 to 4 inches across the Triad with a few spots getting over 6 inches. The counties to our west got it worse with the foothills receiving nearly half a foot and the mountains receiving more than a foot.

As Helene continues to move away into Tennessee and then Kentucky, the storm is weakening and weather will improve.

“Skies will be clearing for us through this evening and overnight will become mostly clear with a low near 62,” Denton said.

Forecasters say the main hazard is the heavy rain.

Winds gusts could cause damage over portions of Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Kentucky, particularly over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.

Amid heavy rain, winds gusts and potential isolated tornadoes, it may be dangerous to travel.  Widespread power outages are also a concern with these rain bands.

As can be seen in the image below, the highest risks of flooding from Helene are in western North Carolina with high changes of at least 70% in the region.

Tornadoes also remain a possibility from Friday morning into the afternoon in the Carolinas. The tornado threat also exists in eastern Georgia and southern Virginia.

By lunchtime, winds will begin to diminish and rain becomes lighter and more scattered.  By this afternoon, we’ll have some peeks of sunshine with highs close to 80°.  It will be partly cloudy overnight with lows in the lower-60s.

What’s next?

Saturday will be nice with sunny to partly cloudy skies. Highs near 80. There is a tiny 15% chance for a shower. Saturday night, partly cloudy and 65. Sunday will be pretty good, partly cloudy with a 35% chance for a shower or thunderstorm, highs near 80.

Early next week, our weather will continue to improve. Monday will be partly sunny with a high around 79, there is a 20% chance for a shower. Tuesday will be mostly sunny with a high around 79. Wednesday will be mostly sunny and reach 77. Lows remain in the mid-60s.

A turn to cooler nights starts on Thursday. Sunny both Thursday and Friday with highs in the low to mid-70s and lows in the lower 50s, some 40s in rural areas.

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