Georgia death toll up to 11 from Helene; impact widespread in South

(The Center Square) – Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Friday that 11 people died as a result of Hurricane Helene, including a first responder.

The governor did not give details on the deaths. Earlier reports said a couple in Wheeler County died when a tornado struck their mobile home.

The state on Friday morning had 152 roads closed, including portions of 1-16 in Laurens County and 1-20 in McDuffie County, Kemp said.

Helene is causing floods and tornado warnings in other states as its remnant moves north.

"We have a very serious widespread catastrophic flash flooding situation that's playing out on this Friday all the way from North Georgia through upstate South Carolina into western North Carolina and now extending into southwestern Virginia," Dr. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, said in a briefing.

Western North Carolina is at the highest risk of flooding, particularly in the Asheville and Boone areas, Brennan said. Landslides are also a concern and some have been reported in western North Carolina, he said.

Flooding remains an issue in Atlanta, where Fulton County officials are asking residents to avoid travel on Friday afternoon. Several roadways are closed because of downed trees and wires.

Portions of central North Carolina, upstate South Carolina and southwestern Virginia are under a tornado watch until 6 p.m, according to the National Weather Service.