Latest forecast: Southeast faces catastrophic flooding
Helene is bringing catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flooding to the Southeast on Friday morning. Flash flood emergencies are in effect in five states: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Helene is forecast to drop another 3 to 6 inches of rain on the central and southern Appalachians, bringing rain totals to 6 to 12 inches, with isolated totals around 20 inches
Residents should be prepared for flash flooding, urban flooding, river flooding and landslides.
Meanwhile, water levels are receding along Florida’s Gulf Coast after Hurricane Helene’s intense storm surge. Water levels reached more than 15 feet above ground level in some areas.
Helene is currently at tropical storm strength and is located over the Blue Ridge Mountains along the North Carolina-Tennessee border.
The storm is expected to slow down soon and stall over the Tennessee Valley Friday night and through the weekend, dropping another 6 inches of rain.