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WTUS84 KMRX 251603
HLSMRX
NCZ060-061-260015-
Hurricane Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 9
National Weather Service Morristown TN AL092024
1203 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:
- A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Cherokee and Clay
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Cherokee and Clay
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 930 miles south of Chattanooga TN
- 21.6N 86.3W
- Storm Intensity 80 mph
- Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 10 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Tropical Storm Helene is expected to make landfall over the Florida
Panhandle Thursday evening and race north into Georgia and the western
Carolinas. Significant flash flooding and mainstem flooding is likely
Thursday into early Friday. In addition to the flooding, 40-50 MPH
wind gusts will be associated with Helene as the storm tracks into the
southern Tennessee valley in the Chattanooga vicinity Thursday night
into Friday morning. The combination of saturated soils and strong wind
gusts will likely result in numerous trees down, leading to numerous
power outages.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across Cherokee and Clay counties. 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.
* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
Cherokee and Clay counties. 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.
* TORNADOES:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Cherokee and
Clay counties in Extreme Southwest North Carolina.
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.
* 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 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
$$
