* WHAT. Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 60 to 65 mph. * WHERE. Blount Smoky Mountains, Cocke Smoky Mountains, East Polk, Johnson, Sevier Smoky Mountains, Southeast Carter, Southeast Greene, Southeast Monroe, and Unicoi Counties. * WHEN. Until 8 AM EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

HLSGSP This product covers the western Carolinas and NE Georgia HELENE WEAKENS TO A TROPICAL DEPRESSION AS IT EXITS THE AREA. RIVER AND SMALL STREAM FLOODING WILL CONTINUE ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA IN ITS WAKE. NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - All watches and warnings have been canceled * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * STORM INFORMATION: - About 230 miles west-northwest of Charlotte NC or about 180 miles northwest of Greenville/Spartanburg SC - 36.6N 84.6W - Storm Intensity 35 mph - Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 28 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Helene has been downgraded to a Tropical Depression. The system, which is positioned over eastern Kentucky this afternoon, will continue to pull away from the area. However, significant river and areal flooding will continue over the next several days across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia, particularly in the vicinity of the mountains and foothills. We continue to advise against travel unless fleeing rising floodwaters. Gusty winds behind the system will eventually subside toward sunset. The threat of landslides will gradually subside as the rain exits the area through the rest of the afternoon. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Little to no additional impacts are anticipated at this time across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia. * FLOODING RAIN: Excessive runoff from the heavy rain over the past few days will continue to produce areal and river flooding across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia. * TORNADOES: No impacts are anticipated at this time across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia. 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 your home or shelter was damaged, be alert to the smell of gas leaks and be cautious around electrical wiring, broken glass, jagged metal and wood, and protruding nails and screws. Do not attempt to return to evacuated areas until local authorities have inspected roads and bridges and have given the all clear. Hazards like downed power lines and trees, washed out roads, continued flooding in low lying areas and non-functioning traffic lights make travel difficult. When inspecting damage, use flashlights rather than candles or flamed lanterns. Be aware of sparks that can ignite natural gas or other leaking flammables. When clearing out fallen trees, be careful with chainsaws and axes. Always wear protective gear and keep others at a safe distance. Leaning trees and those which have fallen on roofs or power lines can be especially dangerous. If you are not in good health or unsure about what you are doing, have someone with tree cutting experience do the job. Never cut trees without a partner. If using a generator, avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by following instructions provided by the manufacturer. Operate your generator in a well-ventilated space outside of your living area and away from open doors and windows. Problems with sewer backups can further contaminate standing flood waters. Keep children away from flood waters. Also, listen for boil water alerts as tap water may have become non-potable. Be alert for any lingering wind gusts which could take down weakened trees and/or power lines, collapse damaged structures, or cause flying debris. Be alert for flooding from rising rivers and streams which may have yet to crest. Remain informed of the latest river forecasts and heed any flood watches and warnings. Be alert for flooded roads which could be compromised or littered with debris. Avoid travel until water levels subside and roads have been cleared. Do not drive through places where flood waters cover the road. Turn around, don't drown! * 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 ----------- As it pertains to this event. this will be the last local statement issued by the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC regarding the effects of tropical cyclone hazards upon the area.

* WHAT. Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 60 to 65 mph. * WHERE. Blount Smoky Mountains, Cocke Smoky Mountains, East Polk, Johnson, Sevier Smoky Mountains, Southeast Carter, Southeast Greene, Southeast Monroe, and Unicoi Counties. * WHEN. Until 8 AM EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Tennessee. Nolichucky River At Embreeville TN affecting Unicoi, Greene and Washington Counties. . The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Tennessee. French Broad River Near Newport TN affecting Cocke and Jefferson Counties. Pigeon River At Newport TN affecting Cocke County. For the French Broad River. including Newport TN, DOUGLAS DAM RESERVOIR, DOUGLAS DAM TAILWATER. Major flooding is forecast. For the Nolichucky River. including Embreeville TN. Minor flooding is forecast. For the Pigeon River. including Newport TN. Major flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Nolichucky River at Embreeville TN. * WHEN. From this morning to tomorrow evening. * IMPACTS. At 9.5 feet, Low spots along Little Germany Road will begin to flood. At 11.0 feet, The main camping level of the KOA campground is covered by water. At 11.5 feet, Property at Bumpus Cove Road and Little Germany Road floods. At 12.0 feet, Pasture land around the Highway 107 bridge floods. The channel narrows at the bridge just downstream of the gauge, which may elevate the river level at the gauge during higher flows due to damming effect. At 13.0 feet, Portions of AJ Willis Road will flood. At 14.0 feet, Back yards of riverside homes along Bumpus Cove Road take substantial water. At 16.0 feet, Water reaches the pad of the train car at KOA Campground. At 17.0 feet, Low spots along Hwy 107 between Embreeville and Erwin might flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 7:15 AM EDT Friday the stage was 10.9 feet. - Bankfull stage is 7.0 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise above flood stage late this morning to a crest of 15.5 feet just after midnight tonight. It will then fall below flood stage early tomorrow afternoon. - Flood stage is 12.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Forecast flooding changed from Minor to Moderate severity and increased in duration for the following rivers in Tennessee. Nolichucky River At Embreeville TN affecting Washington, Unicoi and Greene Counties. For the Nolichucky River. including Embreeville TN. Moderate flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Nolichucky River at Embreeville TN. * WHEN. From this morning to late tomorrow evening. * IMPACTS. At 16.0 feet, Water reaches the pad of the train car at KOA Campground. At 17.0 feet, Low spots along Hwy 107 between Embreeville and Erwin might flood. At 18.0 feet, Water might threaten the lowest of a row of riverside homes along Bumpus Cove Road a half mile upstream from the bridge. Flows this high contain increasing uncertainty as to how the gauge readings downstream near the bridge are reflective of stream heights and impacts along Bumpus Cove Road. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 10:15 AM EDT Friday the stage was 17.0 feet. - Bankfull stage is 7.0 feet. - Recent Activity. The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 10:15 AM EDT Friday was 17.0 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise to a crest of 18.5 feet this evening. It will then fall below flood stage tomorrow afternoon. - Flood stage is 12.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Tennessee. Nolichucky River At Embreeville TN affecting Washington, Unicoi and Greene Counties. For the Nolichucky River. including Embreeville TN. Moderate flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Nolichucky River at Embreeville TN. * WHEN. Until tomorrow afternoon. * IMPACTS. At 16.0 feet, Water reaches the pad of the train car at KOA Campground. At 17.0 feet, Low spots along Hwy 107 between Embreeville and Erwin might flood. At 18.0 feet, Water might threaten the lowest of a row of riverside homes along Bumpus Cove Road a half mile upstream from the bridge. Flows this high contain increasing uncertainty as to how the gauge readings downstream near the bridge are reflective of stream heights and impacts along Bumpus Cove Road. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 10:15 AM EDT Friday the stage was 17.0 feet. - Bankfull stage is 7.0 feet. - Recent Activity. The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 10:15 AM EDT Friday was 17.0 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise to a crest of 19.5 feet this afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage late tomorrow morning. - Flood stage is 12.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Forecast flooding changed from Moderate to Major severity and increased in duration for the following rivers in Tennessee. Doe River At Elizabethton affecting Carter County. For the Doe River. including Elizabethton. Major flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Moderate flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. This approaches the flood of record. * WHERE. Doe River at Elizabethton. * WHEN. Until just after midnight tonight. * IMPACTS. At 10.5 feet, Water may reach floors of some homes on the east side of the river, from South Main Street across from the gage house, downstream to Third Street at the covered bridge. Water also reaches the bottom of the side walls of the covered bridge. The river reaches the bottoms of the Rod Jenkins Bridge and the Long Hollow Road bridge. Some homes along River Road and Edgewater Road may begin to take water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 12:15 PM EDT Friday the stage was 9.1 feet. - Bankfull is 8.0 feet. - Recent Activity. The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 12:15 PM EDT Friday was 9.1 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise to a crest of 10.5 feet this afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage this evening. - Flood stage is 8.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* WHAT. Recent heavy rainfall is causing flooding on the Nolichucky River. The river gage near Lowland reported a stage of 22.58 feet at 730 pm Friday evening. * WHERE. A portion of east Tennessee, including the following counties, Cocke, Greene and Hamblen. * WHEN. Until 800 AM EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 821 PM EDT, River flooding will likely continue throughout the night along the Nolichucky river and flood plain. - Some locations that will experience flooding include. Morristown and Lowland. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

FFWMRX The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for. Northern Carter County in east Tennessee. Southeastern Sullivan County in east Tennessee. Northwestern Unicoi County in east Tennessee. Central Washington County in east Tennessee. * Until 145 AM EDT. * At 750 PM EDT, local law enforcement reported significant flash flooding with water rescues continuing across Carter county. This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Several water rescues are ongoing across Carter county. Recent heavy rainfall across the mountains is producing life threatening flash flooding. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW! HAZARD. Several water rescues are ongoing across Carter county. Recent heavy rainfall across the mountains is producing life threatening flash flooding. SOURCE. Law enforcement reported. IMPACT. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include. Johnson City, Elizabethton, Central, Pine Crest, Midway, Hampton, Oak Grove, Unicoi, Bluff City, Watauga, Milligan College, Rocky Mount State Park, Morril's Cave, Hunter, Embreeville, Telford, Sadie and Limestone.

FFWMRX The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for. Southern Carter County in east Tennessee. Southwestern Johnson County in east Tennessee. Unicoi County in east Tennessee. Southeastern Washington County in east Tennessee. * Until 130 AM EDT. * At 738 PM EDT, local law enforcement reported ongoing water rescues across Carter county with significant roadway flooding across the warned area. This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Several water rescues are ongoing across Carter county. Recent heavy rainfall across the mountains is producing life threatening flash flooding. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW! HAZARD. Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing flash flooding. SOURCE. Law enforcement reported. IMPACT. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include. Erwin, Hampton, Banner Hill, Unicoi, Limestone Cove, Roane Mountain State Park, Roan Mountain, Hampton Creek Cove State Park, Elk Mills and Rocky Fork.

* WHAT. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is occurring. * WHERE. Portions of east Tennessee, including the following county, Sullivan and southwest Virginia, including the following county, Washington. * WHEN. Until 615 AM EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Low-water crossings are inundated with water and may not be passable. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 623 PM EDT, local law enforcement reported continued flooding in the Damascus area. Excessive water will continue to flow out of the mountains into the foothills in the warned area. Roadway flooding, small stream flooding, and ponding of low lying areas will remain a concern. - Some locations that will experience flooding include. Damascus and Konnarock. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* WHAT. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is occurring. * WHERE. A portion of east Tennessee, including the following counties, Cocke, Greene, Jefferson and Sevier. * WHEN. Until midnight EDT tonight. * IMPACTS. Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Low-water crossings are inundated with water and may not be passable. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 559 PM EDT, local law enforcement reported continuous roadway flooding and flooding of small streams especially across the mountains and foothills in the warned area. - Some locations that will experience flooding include. Sevierville, Newport, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Parrottsville, Pittman Center, Hartford, Cosby, Del Rio, Bird Crossing, Round Mountain, Fairgarden, Caney Branch, Cedar Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Elkmont, Camp Creek, Wears Valley and Roundtop Mountain State Park. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Tennessee. Doe River At Elizabethton affecting Carter County. For the Doe River. including Elizabethton. Major flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Major flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. This approaches the flood of record. * WHERE. Doe River at Elizabethton. * WHEN. Until just after midnight tonight. * IMPACTS. At 10.5 feet, Water may reach floors of some homes on the east side of the river, from South Main Street across from the gage house, downstream to Third Street at the covered bridge. Water also reaches the bottom of the side walls of the covered bridge. The river reaches the bottoms of the Rod Jenkins Bridge and the Long Hollow Road bridge. Some homes along River Road and Edgewater Road may begin to take water. At 12.5 feet, Floor of the gage well house. Several homes near and downstream from the gage house are flooded with up to two feet of water. The river reaches the road surface of the Rod Jenkins Bridge. Some homes along River Road and Edgewater Road are flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 2:15 PM EDT Friday the stage was 10.7 feet. - Bankfull is 8.0 feet. - Recent Activity. The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 2:15 PM EDT Friday was 10.7 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise to a crest of 11.0 feet late this afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage this evening. - Flood stage is 8.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Forecast flooding changed from Moderate to Major severity and increased in duration for the following rivers in Tennessee. Nolichucky River At Embreeville TN affecting Washington, Unicoi and Greene Counties. For the Nolichucky River. including Embreeville TN. Major flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Moderate flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. This approaches the flood of record. * WHERE. Nolichucky River at Embreeville TN. * WHEN. Until early tomorrow afternoon. * IMPACTS. At 18.0 feet, Water might threaten the lowest of a row of riverside homes along Bumpus Cove Road a half mile upstream from the bridge. Flows this high contain increasing uncertainty as to how the gauge readings downstream near the bridge are reflective of stream heights and impacts along Bumpus Cove Road. At 21.5 feet, A Bumpus Cove Road resident reported that the 1977 flood was said to have gotten into the house she lives in, which sits on a concrete slab, while it did not get into the house next door, which sits two feet higher atop a crawl space. This is a source of uncertainty of impacts at this location and its relation to gauge measurements downstream near the bridge and any effects of damming the bridge may cause near the gauge. At 24.0 feet, Flood of record. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 11:15 AM EDT Friday the stage was 19.6 feet. - Bankfull stage is 7.0 feet. - Recent Activity. The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 11:15 AM EDT Friday was 19.6 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise to a crest of 22.0 feet this afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage tomorrow morning. - Flood stage is 12.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Tennessee. Clinch River Above Tazewell TN affecting Hancock, Grainger and Claiborne Counties. For the Clinch River. including Tazewell TN. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHAT. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Clinch River above Tazewell TN. * WHEN. From this evening to tomorrow afternoon. * IMPACTS. At 12.0 feet, Flooding of pasture land near Grissom Island begins. The city of Tazewell, Tennessee is not affected by flooding of the Clinch River. At 13.0 feet, The road within a quarter mile of the gage begins to flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 10:15 AM EDT Friday the stage was 9.8 feet. - Bankfull stage is 12.0 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise above flood stage this evening to a crest of 14.0 feet just after midnight tonight. It will then fall below flood stage late tomorrow morning. - Flood stage is 12.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood