The National Hurricane Center war:ned that Hurricane Helene’s landfall could bring “damaging winds” as far inland as major cities such as Atlanta, Georgia.
The storm is “strengthening and expected to bring catastrophic winds and storm surge to the northeastern Gulf Coast,” according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory.
A hurricane threat is now in effect for portions of Florida and Georgia. This covers Florida’s Tallahassee and Apalachicola, as well as Georgia’s Valdosta, Columbus, and Macon.
A tropical storm war:ning has been issued for Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Atlanta. Dothan, Alabama, Charleston, South Carolina, and Asheville, North Carolina are all under tropical storm warn:ings.
The hurricane is anticipated to reach Category 3 status, with winds of 111 mph or more, before making landfall on the Florida coast on Thursday night.
Helene’s devastating winds could hit Atlanta and other cities by Friday morning, then move into the Appalachians and Ohio Valley by Friday afternoon.