Tornadoes, Power Outages And Flooding Possible With TS Helene In GA

GEORGIA — A state of emergency in Georgia was issued Tuesday as the Peach State prepares to possibly be slammed by Tropical Storm Helene, which has been brewing and gaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico.

State officials warned Helene will be a statewide event that could be costly.

The trajectory of Helene, which Gov. Brian Kemp said could make landfall Thursday evening along the Florida Gulf coast and parts of the Panhandle, is expected to head northeast.

Residents looking to evacuate Florida may take refuge in Georgia, said Director Chris Stallings of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency at a news conference.

"Certainly, our thoughts and prayers are with those along the coast," he said.

Emergency management officials are monitoring the storm's activity, Stallings said. The storm's wind field is at least 300 miles wide, he said.

He added Georgia officials have response teams positioned in case emergencies arise.

The state of emergency, declared by Kemp, will allow state resources to be used at the local level. Kemp implemented the order for all 159 counties in Georgia.

In the order, Kemp said Helene is expected to upgrade to a hurricane by Wednesday evening.

Stallings said Helene will be unlike Hurricane Debby, which brought tons of flooding and killed a person in Georgia in early August. Debby was blamed for five deaths in Florida.

Debby was a slow-moving rain event, while Helene is forecast to be a fast-paced wind and rain storm, Stallings said, noting the response to Helene will be different between the two storms. Helene could move between 15 and 18 mph.

Central Georgia could potentially "take a direct hit" from Helene, Stallings said.

"I don't think there's anywhere in the state that's not going to experience some type of impact," he said. "This is going to be one of those rare instances where I believe all 159 counties will receive some type of impact."

He added some areas may not feel the effects compared to the coast as Helene is expected to enter Georgia through the southern region of the state.

"Unfortunately, for Lowndes County and that area that was hit during Hurricane Debby, they're fixin' to get round two; so, if you've got friends and family in that area, we would recommend, if they want to get out, now's the time to do that," Stallings said.

Heavy rain is expected to fall Wednesday night into Thursday morning in Georgia, with the heavier rain predicted to drench the state throughout Thursday.

South Georgia is in the path of Helene's heaviest impacts; however, impacts in north and central Georgia may be plentiful Friday morning before dissipating Friday afternoon, Stallings said.

Hurricane-force winds may blow at 50 mph near Interstate 75 south of Macon, but tropical storm-force winds are possible statewide, he said.

"There's significant impacts across Georgia," he said.

Widespread power outages and downed trees may be concerning throughout Georgia, Stalling said, adding the state could feel rainfall totals of 4-8 inches. In the north Georgia mountains, rainfall totals could increase, leading to flash flooding.

Flooding may mimic Hurricane Irma in September 2017, but Stallings said storm surge may not be significant. Localized flooding may not compare to the coast, such as Savannah, in low-lying areas.

Mostly in eastern Georgia, the storm could spin off tornadoes, but Stallings said tornado activity may occur anywhere in Helene's path.

Stallings urged residents to "prepare now." He said people should shelter in place during the storm.

See hurricane preparedness tips via GEMA.