County Issues State of Emergency as Helene Strengthens
Tropical Storm Helene is expected to travel into the eastern Gulf of Mexico and become Hurricane Helene this evening, Sept. 25. The storm is expected to make landfall Thursday along areas of the Florida Gulf Coast and panhandle, and is expected to travel northeast, impacting areas across Georgia.
Meteorologist Christopher Horne with Greenville-Spartanburg National Weather Service, which forecasts for Toccoa, talked with WNEG News via email yesterday, saying “It does look pretty ominous for greater Toccoa, with a 50 knot tropical cyclone forecast to track over Lake Lanier Friday morning.”
He added that Toccoa could expect somewhere between 8 and 9 inches of rain accumulation, along with power outages and tree damage with a storm the strength of Helene passing that close.
The latest alert issued by the National Weather Service warned, “This has the potential to be an extremely rare event with significant and damaging flash-flooding along numerous streams,” and saying the intense, prolonged rainfall could produce numerous downed trees and possible landslides.
At 10:50 p.m. last night, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch and a hazardous weather, in effect from this morning, Sept. 25, through Friday afternoon, Sept. 27, for a large swath of NE Georgia, including Stephens, Franklin and Habersham counties in Georgia and Greater Oconee and Greater Pickens counties in upstate South Carolina. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible, and excessive runoff may result in significant and damaging flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Areas that are not typically impacted by floodwaters may flood.
Following the torrential rainfall, forecasters predict 40-65 mph wind gusts beginning about 2 a.m. Friday and lasting until 8 a.m. Saturday, and a chance of tornadoes possible as the system moves through the area.
Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a State of Emergency for Tropical Storm Helene, and at Tuesday’s Stephens County Board of Commissioner’s meeting, board members unanimously approved the issuing of a preemptive state of emergency to clear the way for the county to receive state and federal assistance if there is significant storm fallout, and County Administrator Christian Hamilton said E911/EMA is adjusting staff schedules in preparation.
Officials remind the public not to approach downed trees that may include utility lines of any kind. Utility providers urge the public to treat all lines as energized and avoid contact with them or surfaces they may touch.
Remember these important tips:
- Secure enough food and water for several days. Food items that do not require cooking, such as crackers, should be included.
- Stock up on baby wipes, diapers, formula, shelf-safe juice, and other infant supplies.
- Have more than one way to receive emergency weather alerts.Place flashlights at various locations around the house and have a supply of spare batteries ready if needed.
- Make sure to have enough prescription and over-the-counter medication to last through the weekend.
- Make sure to stock up on toilet paper, soaps, and other toiletry items for hygiene.
- Have a First Aid kit ready if needed.
- Do not cross any flooded bridges or travel roads on which the surface is not visible.”
- Also, those on home oxygen should make sure they have spare tanks to use if power is out for several days.
- Also remember, if you have pets, keep several days’ supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container, store a water bowl and several days’ supply of water, keep an extra supply of the medicine your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container and be sure to keep a backup leash, collar and id tag, as well as your pets registration information and other relevant documents in a waterproof container and/or available electronically.
- Make necessary preparations for care of livestock in the case of flooding and/or power outages.
Georgia Power issued a statement saying Tropical Storm Helene is expected to move across Georgia this Thursday and Friday with strong wind, heavy rain and hail, and the company is closely monitoring the storm and preparing to respond to any potential outages that may occur. Visit the link attached to this story on wnegradio.com for Georgia Powers’ Outage and Storm Center, where customers can report a power outage, view an outage map, check outage statuses and report a downed wire or pole. Additional safety tips and procedures are also available.
HartEMC posted to its social media account last night regarding the storm, saying, “We’re closely monitoring the weather system, and Hart EMC is prepared for anything that may impact our service territory. Impacts include heavy rain which can cause flash flooding and downed trees/power lines. As we brace for the potential storm, now is the perfect time to get ready. Remember, it’s better to be over-prepared than caught off guard.”
Links to the HEMC Outage Center, where you can report and track outages and more, is also available attached to this story on wnegradio.com.
The link to the Stephens County Emergency Management social media will also be available. Stephens County EMA Director Danielle Rhodes reminds citizens, if you have an emergency during storm events, dial 911 but do not call 911 for power outages. Instead, Call your power company to report power outages. This is also true for TV, phone, and internet outages.
For outages with Georgia Power, call 1-888-891-0938 or use this website to report an outage via the internet or to see current outages. https://outagemap.georgiapower.com/external/default.html
For outages with Hart EMC call 1-800-241-4109. You can view current outages at https://www.hartemc.com/outage-center/
For outages with Habersham EMC call 706-754-2114. You can view their current outages at http://outageview.habershamemc.com/#viewer-menu-parent
For Windstream outages, call 1-800-347-1991
For TruVista Outages, call 706-886-2727
WNEG News will be tracking weather and in communication with local first responder agencies and Emergency Management throughout the storm and will provide updates as possible on our website and social media accounts. We will also set aside a pinned post where WNEG listeners and fans can post notices of road blockages and other storm related information to help your neighbors.