UPDATED: Rome and Floyd Schools Close Ahead of Hurricane Helene

Rome and Floyd County Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday as high winds and storms from the remnants of Hurricane Helene are expected to hit north Georgia.

Also closed both days are Unity Christian School in Rome as well as all campuses of Georgia Highlands College. Georgia Northwestern Technical College will be closing on Thursday at 3 p.m. and all of Friday.

Darlington School will be closed on Friday due to inclement weather and the potential for unsafe driving conditions. All after-school activities for Thursday will be cancelled and Extended Day will be open until 4:30 p.m.

Area healthcare centers were tracking storm conditions and planned to update patients on delays or closings. A job fair set for Thursday by Atrium Health Floyd has been delayed to Oct. 10.

One of the main issues for Northwest Georgia is the area is being saturated by rain prior to what may likely be heavy winds and rain as the fast and large storm pushes through late Thursday or early Friday.

Meteorologist Carmen Hernandez said Northwest Georgia is expected to receive six to 10 inches of rain from Wednesday through Friday during the storm’s peak, potentially higher. There could potentially be wind gusts of up to 60 to 65 mph Thursday night going into Friday morning.

“We’re expecting widespread flash flooding potential,” Hernandez said.

In preparation for the storm, Hernandez said residents should not leave their phones on silent or “do not disturb” overnight in the event of an evacuation order.

Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency Tuesday, ordering to deploy up to 500 Georgia National Guard troops to help with preparation, response, and recovery efforts. In preparation for Helene, Kemp directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to activate the State Operations Center.

“We are not taking anything for granted, which is why I have directed appropriate state agencies to work around the clock to ensure we’re prepared for whatever is heading our way,” Kemp said. “I want to thank them for their diligence and ask that all Georgians make preparations now to keep their families and property safe.”

The governor’s office also advised residents to not drive or walk through standing water and to stay away from downed power lines to avoid electric shock.

“This is going to be a fast-moving wind event, with rain, and so we anticipate a very different response,” said GEMA director Chris Stallings.

Stallings encouraged residents to also prepare for an emergency. They’re suggesting that households have an emergency kit with water and food for several days.

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King also issued a statement to Georgians urging them to take precautions before the storm.

“Because these damaging winds can affect areas hundreds of miles away from the expected trajectory, all Georgians should begin preparing for the storm,” King said.

Georgia Power and Georgia’s Electric Membership Corporations announced they have mobilized all key personnel and additional contract crews and prepared trucks with emergency equipment and increased supplies of materials that could be needed.