WEATHER AWARE: Helene to bring heavy rainfall and very windy conditions

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Helene reaches hurricane strength late this morning and is still expected to become a major hurricane before making landfall along Florida’s Big Bend region. Hurricane force wind gusts will be likely across southwest Georgia as the storm pushes northward into the News 3 viewing area.

• HURRICANE WARNING: Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Schley, Clay, Quitman, Randolph
• TROPICAL STORM WARNING: Chambers, Lee, Macon, Bullock, Russell, Barbour, Harris, Talbot, Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Marion, Taylor
• TROPICAL STORM WATCH: Troup and Meriwether
• FLOOD WATCH issued for the entire viewing area until Friday morning

WEDNESDAY :

• Scattered showers and storms
• Few strong to severe storms across the News 3 viewing area.

THURSDAY :

• Rainbands from Helene move in throughout the day
• Heavy rainfall with some rainbands
• Flash flooding starts to become an issue
• Winds steadily increase with gusts 20-30 mph
• Sporadic power outages begin

THURSDAY NIGHT/FRIDAY MORNING :

• Heavy tropical rainbands continue with a flooding threat
• Tropical storm and hurricane force winds are likely for our southern and eastern counties.
  • Gusts could reach 80-85 mph
• Flash flooding threat continues (6-10” of rainfall expected throughout the event)
• Widespread power outages expected

Helene moves out Friday morning with gradual clearing expected throughout the day. Friday night football games look to be a go as the storm is absorbed by an upper level low. Weekend becomes calmer and quieter with comfortable temperatures in the low 80s.

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