- State of Emergency in North Carolina ahead of Hurricane Helene
- Storms possible today; Flooding rains start in the Mountains tonight
- Helene becomes a hurricane and is expected to intensify as it moves toward Florida
- Duke Energy preparing for Hurricane Helene, urges others to do the same
- Weather Aware: The potential impacts of Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas
State of Emergency in North Carolina ahead of Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene is expected to bring torrential rain, gusty winds and the threat of devastating flooding to the Carolinas this week.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency in North Carolina ahead of Hurricane Helene as the state prepares for the storm’s widespread impacts.
Helene is expected to bring torrential rain and gusty winds to the Carolinas with the risk of flooding, especially in the mountains and foothills where over a foot of rain is possible this week. Cooper’s office said the storm’s potential risks include landslides, debris flows and flooding across western and central North Carolina.
Weather Aware: The potential impacts of Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas
“Helene threatens heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides, and damaging winds to the mountains and Piedmont areas of our state,” Cooper said.
North Carolina’s State Emergency Response Team is deploying equipment and personnel to impacted communities before Helene reaches the region. The North Carolina National Guard is also available to assist. A state of emergency allows North Carolina to take action to ensure the quick movement of resources to eliminate power outages and delivery of food, medicine and fuel statewide.
Charlotte Motor Speedway opened its campgrounds Wednesday to evacuees seeking a safe place to stay. Charlotte Motor Speedway will offer campgrounds to evacuees for free as long as possible. The speedway’s campgrounds are located just minutes from Exit 49 off Interstate 85 in Concord.
Helene strengthened to hurricane status Wednesday morning as it moved into the warm Gulf of Mexico. The storm is expected to experience rapid intensification and could make landfall as a major Category 3 or Category 4 hurricane. Meteorologist Chris Mulcahy said Helene’s winds could strengthen to 115 mph before it makes landfall in Florida.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for Avery, Burke, Caldwell and Cleveland counties in North Carolina. A flood watch is in effect for Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln and Watauga counties until 8 p.m. on Thursday. Areas impacted by these watches and warnings include Boone, Gastonia, Hickory, Lenoir, Lincolnton, Morganton, Newland and Shelby.