Tracking Helene: Follow the latest storm path

For the latest updates on Hurricane Helene, follow AJC’s live coverage and hour-by-hour forecasts .

The eyewall of Hurricane Helene is beginning to move ashore along Florida’s west coast as a Category 4 storm, with South Georgia and even metro Atlanta feeling the impact.

The storm is expected to make landfall soon in the Florida Big Bend region, with winds reaching 140 mph, the National Hurricane Center projects. Overnight, the storm is expected to reach South Georgia as a Category 2 hurricane, and metro Atlanta will see tropical storm conditions, the National Weather Service said.

“This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Persons should not leave their shelters and remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions,” the NHC said. “When the eye comes ashore, people are reminded to not venture out in the relative calm, as hazardous winds will increase very quickly when the eye passes.”

As of late Thursday evening, the storm was moving at just over 20 mph and nearing Cedar Key and Tallahassee after traveling across the Gulf of Mexico. It upgraded to a Category 4 storm around 6:20 p.m. and winds are topping 140 mph.

There is a risk of life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida Panhandle and the Big Bend area.

“A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend coast, where inundation could reach as high as 20 feet above ground level, along with destructive waves,” the NHC said.

After Helene moves inland, a turn to the north over Georgia is expected late Thursday into early Friday. Damaging wind gusts are anticipated to extend well inland across parts of Georgia and the Carolinas overnight.

Potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding is expected across the Southeast, including the Southern Appalachians and the Tennessee Valley, through Friday, the NHC warns. Widespread river flooding throughout the region is also expected, and some gusts could reach up to 80 mph in North Georgia on Friday morning.

Stay up to date with the NHC here .

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