Hurricane Helen anticipated by Wednesday, flooding could be biggest impact on central AL

Published 11:08 am Tuesday, September 24, 2024

According to an update from the National Weather Service of Birmingham, potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is still trying to get its act together in the western Caribbean. As of Tuesday morning, it hasn’t developed into a Tropical Depression just yet.

The Chambers County 911 & EMA sent an update that stated that the NHC is still anticipating a rapid development of this system, becoming what will be named Helene and developing into a hurricane by Wednesday.

Rapid movement northward will occur with landfall expected Thursday night in the Florida Big Bend region.

No tornado threat is currently anticipated. Wind gusts may reach 30 to 35 mph late Thursday through the day on Friday for the eastern half of Central Alabama, or roughly along and east of the I-65 corridor.

Flooding could have the greatest impact on this system, with a potential of 2 to 4 inches of rain with locally higher amounts across much of Central AL Thursday through Friday.

The update makes very little change from yesterday, as the system remains a Potential Tropical Cyclone this morning.