Hurricane Helene, the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, is headed to the Upstate and is expected to cause significant flooding and damage throughout the region.
Hurricane and storm surge watches went into effect for the Florida Panhandle coast and Florida’s west coast on Wednesday and Thursday. Meteorologists are concerned about the rapid intensification of the storm in the Georgia, Upstate, and Western North Carolina mountainous areas.
“Expect rainfall to accumulate between six to 10 inches across the Upstate between Thursday and Friday mornings and through the mountainous areas near the border of North Carolina, expect nearly a foot of rain,” said Justin Lane, meteorologist for The National Weather Service as of 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Lane said that over the next 24 hours, expect winds of up to 60 mph, fallen trees, and some of the worst flooding along the Saluda River the Upstate has seen in decades.
Here is everything to know about the arrival of Tropical Storm Helene between Thursday, Sept. 26 and Friday, Sept. 27:
More:Hurricane Helene: Tropical Storm Warning in effect for Greenville, Upstate; school closings
Expected timeline of Helene in the Upstate
The Upstate has already seen Hurricane Helene’s impacts, as rain fell throughout the area beginning Wednesday afternoon and lasting through the night.
According to Lane, heavy rainfall has already arrived west of Greenville, near the Georgia counties that border South Carolina. Since yesterday afternoon, the mountains have seen as much as five inches of rain. He expects the storm’s effects to be heavy and widespread.
Helene’s timeline is anticipated to last through Friday, as conditions should return to normal by the evening of Sept. 27.
Where will Helene land?
As of Thursday, Sept. 26, the center of Hurricane Helene is passing due north. It will make landfall in the Florida panhandle and move north through Georgia.
More:Hurricane Helene causing changes to Upstate high school football schedule
How much rain will Helene bring to Upstate, where are the largest flooding areas?
The effects of Helene and the expected six to 10 inches of rain are expected to develop significant flash flooding in the area.
According to Lane, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, the farther northwest one travels toward the North Carolina border, the more significant the flood threat becomes.
He cautioned that Pickens and Oconee County are severe flooding areas and that the Saluda River in all the counties it passes through the Upstate will experience some of the worst flooding in decades.
What to know:Tropical Storm Helene could bring heavy rain, flooding to the Upstate.
How much wind will the Upstate feel due to Helene?
According to Lane, the Upstate could see wind gusts that reach 45-60 mph.
He advises that all of the expected rain could loosen up nearby soil, which could cause many trees to fall, so expect and be prepared for power outages between Thursday and Friday morning.
When should Upstate residents expect Tropical Storm Helene to end?
According to Lane, tropical storm weather conditions are expected to end later Friday morning, Sept. 27.
The rain should be finished by Friday evening, and the winds should settle down. Weather conditions are expected to return to normal by the evening.
More:As Hurricane Helene nears landfall, here are 7 tropical cyclones that slammed the Upstate
How to prepare for Helene?
According to the National Weather Service, residents should have an emergency supply kit and consider self-evacuating, staying with family through the evening, and taking the advice of public officials in times of crisis and emergency.
– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.Sign up today for a digital subscription.
