The National Weather Service has warned that Helene could bring as much as 18” of rainfall as far north as Tallahassee, all but guaranteeing flash flooding in lowland areas. In addition to win, rain and storm surge, there will be an increased threat of tornadoes throughout the Southeast.
“The risk for several tornadoes will gradually increase today through tonight,” according to the NHC. “The greatest threat is expected from parts of northern Florida into southeast Georgia, the Midlands and Low Country of South Carolina, and southern North Carolina.”
At the White House, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell urged citizens in Helene’s projected path to heed warnings from state and local officials. “I need everybody to pay attention to their local officials,” Criswell stated. “They are going to have the best information on the specific risks where you are at.”
Criswell pointed out that during 2022’s Hurricane Ian, the storm surge reached 14 feet high, and left 150 people dead from drowning or collapsed buildings. She closed her remarks by saying “Please take this threat from storm surge seriously.”
