According to the National Weather Service, Helene strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane around 2:30 p.m.
Helene is expected to make landfall along Florida’s Big Bend on Thursday.
All of metro Atlanta and north Georgia are under a Tropical Storm Warning.
Upson and Lamar counties are under a Hurricane Warning.
On Thursday morning, President Biden approved an emergency declaration for Georgia to send federal assistance to the state.
After landfall, Hurricane Helene will move across Georgia and into metro Atlanta late Thursday night and into Friday morning and slowly start to weaken.
The latest track shows Hurricane Helene shifting slightly to the east side of metro Atlanta.
Hurricane conditions are expected up into middle Georgia
Strong, top-end tropical storm conditions expected across metro Atlanta and north Georgia
Sustained winds of 40-60 mph, gusts 60-75+ mph
Possible extensive wind and tree damage expected
Tornadoes are also possible
Rivers expected to reach flood-stage
Metro Atlanta and north Georgia are under a Flood Watch until Friday afternoon.
1/3 of Georgia is now under a rare HIGH RISK for flooding today through early Friday.
