7pm Update on Hurricane Helene; Watches, Warnings, & Advisories in Effect for Alabama

Hurricane Helene, currently located about 430 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by tomorrow. The storm is moving north at 12 mph and will cross the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening. After landfall, it is forecast to slow down over the Tennessee Valley by Friday and Saturday.

A life-threatening storm surge, with heights reaching 15-20 feet, is expected from Carrabelle to the Suwannee River, and 8-15 feet is possible in other areas, including Tampa Bay. Hurricane-force winds will impact the Florida Big Bend area late Thursday, while tropical storm conditions will spread across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

Helene is expected to bring heavy rainfall, with totals of 6-12 inches and isolated amounts up to 18 inches across the southeastern U.S. This could lead to catastrophic flash flooding, significant river flooding, and landslides in steep terrains, such as the southern Appalachians.

Additionally, there is a risk of tornadoes tonight over parts of Florida and southern Alabama, with the threat expanding into Georgia and South Carolina tomorrow. Dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents are also expected along the west coast of Florida and surrounding Gulf areas.

Residents in the affected regions should complete preparations immediately and follow any evacuation orders from local officials.

With the latest shift a little to the west in the projected path of Helene, the following watches, warnings, and advisories may be extended westward as well.

Here is the latest watch/warning/advisory map for the state of Alabama as of 7pm.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Henry and Houston until further notice.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the easternmost counties in Alabama, which include Barbour, Bullock, Chambers, Cherokee, Cleburne, Lee, Macon, Pike, Randolph, Russell counties in Central Alabama, and Coffee, Dale, and Geneva counties in Southeast Alabama until further notice.

A Flood Watch is in effect for Cullman, DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan counties in North Alabama until 1pm Friday, and for and for Autauga, Barbour, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Elmore, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, and Tallapoosa counties in Central Alabama until 7am Friday.

A Wind Advisory is in effect for DeKalb and Jackson counties in North Alabama until 7pm Friday, for Autauga, Blount, Calhoun, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Elmore, Etowah, Jefferson, Lowndes, Montgomery, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, and Tallapoosa counties until 1pm Friday, and for Central & Coastal Baldwin, Covington, and Central & Coastal Mobile counties until 12am Friday.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Current Warnings, Current Watches, Severe Weather, Social Media, Tropical