State of Emergency declared in Georgia as Helene expected to bring widespread impacts

ATLANTA – Tropical Storm Helene is forecast to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf coast later this week but have far-reaching storm impacts into Southern Georgia and the Southeast as the sprawling and dangerous storm rolls across the region. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a State of Emergency for Tropical Storm Helene. The declaration will provide necessary resources all across the state for preparation, response and recovery activities before, during and after the storm. On its current forecast, Helene is expected to keep moving fast during and after landfall, possibly late Thursday or Friday. Because of the quick-moving storm, National Hurricane Center forecasters are putting Southern Georgia on alert now.”It can carry its momentum further inland,” NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rhome told FOX Weather. “So, little storms will basically die immediately after they sort of come inland. Big storms just plow right on inland. So you’re taking that wind and that heavy rain significantly inland. So we’re going to really have to start messaging hard southern Georgia as well when going in. And then later down the line, days four and five, big rainfall and flooding threat.”HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHERTropical storm-force winds greater than 40 mph could cause power outages across the Southeast as Helene moves farther inland. Heavy rain beginning Wednesday is also a concern for potential flash and river flooding. Areas in southern Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina could see up to 8 inches of rain through Friday. There is a moderate threat of flooding on Thursday and Friday when the highest rain totals are forecast to fall across parts of the Southeast.Some local governments, including Bryan, Candler and Chatham counties in southeast Georgia, have said they are monitoring Helene and mobilizing emergency response centers.