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Hurricane Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 10

National Weather Service Morristown TN  AL092024

515 PM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024



This product covers East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, And Extreme Southwest North Carolina



...HELENE TO BRING SIGNIFICANT FLASH FLOODING AND STRONG WIND 

GUSTS TO THE WESTERN CAROLINAS AND NORTHEAST GEORGIA...



NEW INFORMATION

---------------



* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:

    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm 

      Warning for Cherokee and Clay



* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:

    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Cherokee and Clay



* STORM INFORMATION:

    - About 870 miles south of Chattanooga TN or about 940 miles 

      south of Knoxville TN

    - 22.5N 86.6W

    - Storm Intensity 85 mph

    - Movement North or 355 degrees at 12 mph



SITUATION OVERVIEW

------------------



Hurricane Helene is located over the Gulf of Mexico this afternoon and

is forecast to make landfall late Thursday along the Florida 

panhandle. There is a flooding risk area-wide. The highest flooding 

risk is near the Tennessee and North Carolina state line and across 

western North Carolina where significant flash flooding is expected. 

Strong wind gusts will increase Thursday night into Friday morning as 

the remnants of Helene move into the Southern Appalachians with downed 

trees and power outages likely across the region.



POTENTIAL IMPACTS

-----------------



* FLOODING RAIN:

Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible

devastating impacts across Cherokee and Clay Counties in North Carolina.

Potential impacts include:

    - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and 

      rescues.

    - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks 

      in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, 

      canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In 

      mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while 

      increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood 

      control systems and barriers may become stressed.

    - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple 

      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed 

      away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape 

      routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water 

      with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very 

      dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened 

      or washed out.



Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible 

significant to extensive impacts across Cherokee and Clay Counties in

North Carolina.



* WIND:

Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across

Southwest North Carolina and East Tennessee. Potential impacts in this

area include:

    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored 

      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.

    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or 

      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are 

      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.

    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban 

      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on 

      bridges and other elevated roadways.

    - Scattered power and communications outages.



Elsewhere across East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, And Extreme 

Southwest North Carolina, little to no impact is anticipated.



* TORNADOES:

Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts 

across East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, And Extreme Southwest 

North Carolina. Potential impacts include:

    - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution 

      of emergency plans during tropical events.

    - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power 

      and communications disruptions.

    - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys 

      toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, 

      large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees 

      knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and boats pulled 

      from moorings.



PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

----------------------------------



* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:



Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies 

kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your 

home or business.



When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the 

exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging 

wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the 

center of the storm. 



If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as 

near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage 

area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to 

safe shelter on higher ground.



Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets 

for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes 

to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather 

warnings.





* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:

- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov

- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org

- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org



NEXT UPDATE

-----------



The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather 

Service in Morristown TN around 11 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions 

warrant.



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