As of the latest update from the National Hurricane Center at 2 a.m. ET Thursday, Hurricane Helene has intensified with winds reaching 90 mph. The storm is currently positioned approximately 30 miles north of Valdosta, Georgia.
Helene is moving swiftly northeast at a rate of 26 mph and is projected to shift its course to the north overnight. This trajectory will bring the center of the storm over central and northern Georgia by Friday morning. Subsequently, Helene is anticipated to veer northwestward and decelerate over the Tennessee Valley later today and into Saturday.
Despite expectations of further weakening, the hurricane's rapid forward speed is likely to result in strong and damaging winds, particularly in gusts, penetrating well inland across the southeastern United States. This includes the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians, as cautioned by the hurricane center.
Recent reports from an automated station at Grassy Pond, Georgia, located just south of Valdosta, indicated a wind gust of 96 mph. Additionally, the Savannah International Airport recorded a wind gust of 75 mph. These high wind speeds underscore the intensity of Hurricane Helene.
Tornado watches remain in effect for nearly 20 million individuals across regions of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida for the next several hours. Residents in these areas are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this period of heightened weather activity.
