* WHAT. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE. Much of central North Carolina, including most of the Piedmont, the Yadkin Valley, the Sandhills, the southern Coastal Plain along with the Triad and Triangle areas. * WHEN. Through this afternoon. * IMPACTS. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - Given recent wet conditions, the ground is saturated and streamflows are significantly above normal. Much of central North Carolina is susceptible to flash flooding as periods of heavy rain overspread the region. The heaviest and most widespread rain will fall this morning into the early afternoon. Total rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected on average with 3 inches or greater possible in isolated locations.

* WHAT. South winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * WHERE. Alexander, Cabarrus, Davie, Iredell, and Rowan Counties. * WHEN. Until 7 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Due to saturated soils following Helene, any wind gusts this afternoon may bring down trees which normally could withstand such winds.

* WHAT. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE. Portions of North Carolina, including the following areas, Alleghany NC, Ashe, Caswell, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin, Virginia, including the following areas, Alleghany VA, Amherst, Appomattox, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Buckingham, Campbell, Carroll, Charlotte, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Halifax, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Smyth, Tazewell and Wythe, and southeast West Virginia, including the following areas, Eastern Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Summers and Western Greenbrier. * WHEN. Through this evening. * IMPACTS. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - An additional 4 to 6 inches, and locally higher amounts, of rain will fall on already saturated soils. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* WHAT. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE. Portions of North Carolina, including the following areas, Alleghany NC, Ashe, Caswell, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin, Virginia, including the following areas, Alleghany VA, Amherst, Appomattox, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Buckingham, Campbell, Carroll, Charlotte, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Halifax, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Smyth, Tazewell and Wythe, and southeast West Virginia, including the following areas, Eastern Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Summers and Western Greenbrier. * WHEN. Until 8 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - An additional 1 to 3 inches, and locally higher amounts, of rain will fall on already saturated soils. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* WHAT. South winds 15 to 20 mph with frequent gusts of 35 to 40 mph. Higher elevations may experience a few gusts up to 50 mph. * WHERE. Portions of northeast Georgia, piedmont and western North Carolina, and upstate South Carolina. * WHEN. Until 7 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Due to saturated soils following Helene, any wind gusts this afternoon may bring down trees which normally could withstand such winds.

HLSGSP This product covers the western Carolinas and NE Georgia **HELENE HAS PASSED MOST OF THE AREA. BUT SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS CONTINUE** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Abbeville, Anderson, Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Catawba, Central Greenville, Cherokee, Chester, Cleveland, Eastern McDowell, Eastern Polk, Elbert, Franklin, Gaston, Graham, Greater Burke, Greater Caldwell, Greater Oconee, Greater Pickens, Greater Rutherford, Greenville Mountains, Greenwood, Habersham, Hart, Haywood, Henderson, Laurens, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Northern Spartanburg, Oconee Mountains, Pickens Mountains, Polk Mountains, Rabun, Rutherford Mountains, Southern Greenville, Southern Jackson, Southern Spartanburg, Stephens, Swain, Transylvania, Union NC, Union SC, Yancey, and York * STORM INFORMATION: - About 90 miles west of Greenville/Spartanburg SC or about 80 miles west-southwest of Asheville NC - 35.1N 83.8W - Storm Intensity 45 mph - Movement North or 350 degrees at 32 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Helene has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm and is now centered over the Smoky Mountains. Significant flooding has been observed across a broad area of the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia, particularly in the vicinity of the mountains and foothills. Widespread tree and power line damage has occurred across the region, and many roads have been made impassable by floodwaters. We continue to advise against travel unless fleeing rising floodwaters. Wind gusts have peaked for the event over most of the area, but tropical storm force gusts will remain possible through early afternoon in the Piedmont and southern mountains of North Carolina, and through mid to late afternoon over the northern North Carolina mountains and on all ridgetops. Landslides still could occur across the mountains, at least until the last of the rain tapers off this afternoon or evening. Tornado threat is diminishing and now confined to the North Carolina Piedmont, and will taper off completely by early afternoon. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having additional limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having additional devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. * TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across the North Carolina Piedmont. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. Elsewhere across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: An evacuation is ongoing downstream of Lake Lure as a dam failure is imminent there. Otherwise, follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC around 5:30 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

* WHAT. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE. A portion of central North Carolina, including the following counties, Alamance, Anson, Chatham, Cumberland, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Orange, Person, Randolph, Richmond, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly and Wake. * WHEN. Until 6 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - Given recent wet conditions, the ground is saturated and streamflows are significantly above normal. Much of central North Carolina is susceptible to flash flooding as periods of heavy rain overspread the region. The heaviest and most widespread rain will fall through mid afternoon. Total rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected on average with 3 inches or greater possible in isolated locations. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* WHAT. East winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * WHERE. Portions of north central and northwest North Carolina, central, south central, southwest, and west central Virginia, and southeast West Virginia. * WHEN. Until 8 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

* WHAT. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph with frequent gusts 35 to 45 mph. * WHERE. Portions of the northeast Piedmont, western Sandhills, and central/southern Coastal Plain. * WHEN. Until 6 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured outdoor objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and result in scattered power outages.

* WHAT. Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph with frequent gusts 35 to 50 mph. Sporadic wind gusts up to 55 mph will be possible. * WHERE. Western Piedmont and western Sandhills. * WHEN. Until 6 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured outdoor objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and result in scattered power outages.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 688 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN NORTH CAROLINA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 25 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA ALAMANCE CHATHAM DAVIDSON DURHAM EDGECOMBE FORSYTH FRANKLIN GRANVILLE GUILFORD HALIFAX HARNETT JOHNSTON LEE MONTGOMERY MOORE NASH ORANGE PERSON RANDOLPH STANLY VANCE WAKE WARREN WAYNE WILSON THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ABERDEEN, ALBEMARLE, ANGIER, APEX, ARCHDALE, ASHEBORO, BUIES CREEK, BURLINGTON, CARRBORO, CARTHAGE, CARY, CHAPEL HILL, CLAYTON, CREEDMOOR, DUNN, DURHAM, ENFIELD, ERWIN, FRANKLINTON, GOLDSBORO, GRAHAM, GREENSBORO, HENDERSON, HIGH POINT, HILLSBOROUGH, KITTRELL, KNIGHTDALE, LEXINGTON, LILLINGTON, LOUISBURG, MEBANE, NASHVILLE, NORLINA, OXFORD, PINEHURST, PITTSBORO, PRINCEVILLE, RALEIGH, ROANOKE RAPIDS, ROCKY MOUNT, ROUGEMONT, ROXBORO, SANFORD, SCOTLAND NECK, SELMA, SILER CITY, SMITHFIELD, SOUTHERN PINES, SPRING HOPE, TARBORO, THOMASVILLE, TROY, WAKE FOREST, WARRENTON, WILSON, AND WINSTON-SALEM.

The National Weather Service in Raleigh NC has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in North Carolina. Yadkin River At Yadkin College affecting Davie and Davidson Counties. .As much as 5 to 10 inches of rain have fallen over the upper Yadkin River Basin in the past 48 hours, which will result in moderate flooding. * WHAT. Moderate flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Yadkin River at Yadkin College. * WHEN. From this evening to Monday morning. * IMPACTS. At 21.0 feet, Lower level campsites at the Thousand Trails Preserve off US-64 begin to flood. At 23.0 feet, The upper campsites at the Thousand Trails Preserve off US-64 begin to flood. At 25.0 feet, Moderate flooding begins. Flooding may close Sowers Road near Linwood and Hollywood Drive at Grub Ferry Rd. A campground on Hannah Ferry Road is flooded. Flooding threatens the pumping station at Davidson, Incorporated. At 26.0 feet, Several homes along the river begin to flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 9:00 AM EDT Friday the stage was 10.7 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise above flood stage late this evening to a crest of 27.1 feet Sunday morning. It will then fall below flood stage Sunday evening. - Flood stage is 18.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

FFWRNK The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for. Stokes County in north central North Carolina. Surry County in northwestern North Carolina. Yadkin County in northwestern North Carolina. Patrick County in southwestern Virginia. * Until 400 PM EDT Friday. * At 903 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 4 and 6 inches of rain have fallen across western portions of Patrick and Surry counties, with 2 to 4 inches having fallen across portions of Stokes, Yadkin, and eastern Surry and Patrick counties over the last 24 hours. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD. Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE. Radar and automated gauges. IMPACT. Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include. Mount Airy. Elkin. Fairview. Flat Rock. Yadkinville. Jonesville. Dobson. This includes the following streams and drainages. Anglin Branch and Ararat River.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 688 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN NORTH CAROLINA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 5 COUNTIES IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA CASWELL ROCKINGHAM STOKES SURRY IN NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA YADKIN IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 14 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA AMHERST APPOMATTOX BUCKINGHAM CAMPBELL CITY OF LYNCHBURG IN SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA BEDFORD CHARLOTTE CITY OF DANVILLE CITY OF MARTINSVILLE HALIFAX HENRY PITTSYLVANIA IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA PATRICK IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA FRANKLIN