The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Helene continue to batter Tennessee and surrounding states, bringing heavy rain, severe flooding, and major travel disruptions. This once-powerful storm, which initially made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, is now affecting thousands of people across the Southeast. The rain and wind impacts are expected to last through the weekend.
Tropical Cyclone Helene initially made landfall in northwestern Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing intense winds, torrential rain, and severe damage to the region. Florida’s Panhandle faced the brunt of the storm’s initial wrath, experiencing widespread power outages, downed trees, and flooding. The state’s emergency services quickly responded to address the damage and provide aid to affected communities.
While Helene has since weakened, its remnants continue to cause significant disruption as it moves northwest across other states, including Tennessee and the Carolinas. Tennessee is grappling with the aftermath, particularly in the mountainous regions of Eastern Tennessee, where 6 to 10 inches of rain has already fallen in the past 48 hours. As the storm tracks northwest, Middle and Western Tennessee are bracing for an additional 2 to 4 inches of rain.
While rain will ease off by Friday night, residents in low-lying areas are facing life-threatening flooding. Several counties in East Tennessee have issued evacuation orders and advised residents to shelter-in-place due to the flooding risk. Emergency teams from TEMA are on the ground, coordinating with local officials to assess damage and ensure the safety of residents.
Wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph are expected to continue through Friday night, adding to the storm’s impact. While the severe weather threat, including hail and thunderstorms, remains low, the winds are still strong enough to knock out power in some areas. In fact, long-duration power outages are a real possibility in parts of Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
Governor Brian Kemp has declared a State of Emergency for Georgia, effective September 24, to mobilize resources and provide assistance where needed. Residents are urged to exercise caution, particularly when using generators, which should be placed outside and at least 20 feet away from homes to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Thousands of travelers are facing major delays and flight cancellations as Helene’s remnants continue to disrupt air travel across the southeastern U.S. and beyond. With airports trying to adjust to severe weather conditions, multiple major airlines, including United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines, have been affected. In total, 664 flights have been canceled, and 2,430 flights delayed, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or scrambling to adjust their travel plans.
As the storm continues to track northwest, travel disruptions are likely to persist through the weekend, with wind gusts in some areas, such as Illinois, reaching up to 55 mph. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for hazardous travel conditions, with power outages and tree damage anticipated in some regions. Travelers are advised to stay in touch with their airlines for updated flight statuses.
The western part of North Carolina has been pummeled by the storm, with rivers and lakes overflowing, leading to severe flooding and landslides that have blocked major roads. Tragically, two deaths have already been linked to the storm. Emergency services remain on high alert, as more rain could trigger additional landslides and flash floods.
The Southern Appalachians are facing some of the worst conditions, with the risk of historic flash flooding and landslides persisting through Friday evening. River flooding is widespread, and in some areas, water levels are expected to break records. Even though wind gusts will ease by Friday night, the damage left behind could take days or even weeks to repair. Residents are strongly urged to stay informed, remain indoors where possible, and heed any evacuation orders or safety recommendations from local officials.
Although the threat of severe thunderstorms remains low, this storm’s flooding and wind impacts are enough to cause widespread devastation.
