The remnants of Major Hurricane Helene are expected to traverse eastern North Carolina on Friday, leading to a Tornado Watch for the entire area until 6 p.m. Minor coastal flooding is also possible on Hatteras and Ocracoke beaches, as well as northern Albemarle Sound shorelines and waterways.
Helene initially made landfall last night as a category four storm along Florida’s Big Bend before weakening to a tropical storm as it advanced through Georgia this morning. As rain and wind spread into North Carolina today, the most severe conditions are predicted for the mountainous and central regions of the state, where a front interacting with Helene is likely to cause dangerously high flash flooding.
Reports indicate historic flooding in the Asheville area, along with landslides in Haywood County. Tragically, one person has died in the storm when a tree collapsed onto a home in the Charlotte vicinity.
The National Weather Service anticipates showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, which may include brief tornadoes without warning, particularly in the northeastern sector of the state. Gusty southeasterly winds are also expected, with a Coastal Flood Advisory in place due to anticipated water level rises of up to one foot above ground on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.
Minor overwash could occur at typical trouble spots such as Rodanthe, Buxton, and the northern end of Ocracoke between 2 and 6 p.m. this afternoon during high tide. Winds from the southeast are projected to reach 20 to 30 mph, with higher gusts, especially over coastal waters, generating surf conditions of 4 to 8 feet. A High Surf Advisory is in effect for areas south of Oregon Inlet until 4 a.m. Saturday, alongside a High Risk of rip currents, leading to red flags being hoisted on local beaches, warning that ocean conditions are hazardous.
Southeasterly winds have begun raising water levels in Currituck and Albemarle sounds and their tributaries, compounded by runoff from last week’s heavy rains, causing minor flooding in areas vulnerable to southern breezes. Elevated water levels persist along the soundside of the Outer Banks, but predictions indicate this water will not return rapidly nor rise to flood levels, as winds are expected to gradually subside while Helene transitions into a significant rainfall producer over the Appalachian region and the Ohio and Mississippi valleys.
Looking ahead, Saturday’s weather is forecasted to be dry and comfortably warm, with highs reaching the mid-80s. A chance of showers and storms will return late Sunday into Monday as Helene’s remnants sweep through the area, with anticipated highs around 80.