***THURSDAY NIGHT UPDATE***
Hurricane Helene is now a category 4 hurricane, according to the National Weather Service.
It continues to intensify as it makes its way to landfall somewhere in the Big Bend area. The service’s briefing says that will happen in the next three or four hours.
Conditions will quickly deteriorate in the next few hours.
***THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE***
After a Thursday morning briefing from the National Weather Service, Colquitt County Emergency Management Director Justin Cox said in an email that the storm forecast has intensified for Colquitt County.
“We are forecasted to have a Category 1 or 2 hurricane,” he said.
He went on to say that many areas in Colquitt County experienced 5 or more inches of rain last night.
The National Weather Service briefing stated that Hurricane Helene is now a category 2 hurricane that is forecast to accelerate toward the Florida Big Bend and make landfall tonight.
“This is a very large system. Impacts will begin well ahead of landfall. Significant impacts are expected,” the service’s briefing also stated.
According to a graph from the service, the southern part of Colquitt County, potentially, could get 110 mph and above winds and the rest of the county, 74 to 110 mph. They should end overnight tonight, possibly, prior to sunrise Friday.
Cox gave some things, in his email, that residents need to do and know during the hurricane:
•Emergency services will be suspended when winds reach 40 MPH sustained. They will resume only when safe to do so.
•Red Cross Shelter is open at Spence Field Community Center. There are a couple of Churches that have opened on their own.
•Stay off the roads and let first responder and utility crews do their jobs.
•Use generators outside and safely. Turn off main breakers to keep from energizing power lines and possibly killing line crews working to restore power.
•Check on your neighbors
***WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE***
The National Weather Service said that preparations for Hurricane Helene need to be rushed to completion today.
“This is shaping up to be an unprecedented event for parts of the hurricane warned area and a prolonged recovery period is anticipated,” Karleisa Rogacheski of the National Weather service said.
Significant impacts are projected to begin about midday Thursday and catastrophic wind damage is expected near the eventual landfall point and inland along the track, the service’s briefing stated. Colquitt County is in the projected 74 to 110 mph wind threat range.
The expected rainfall totals have not changed from the early projections and there is still a marginal risk (Level 1 out of 5) for tornadoes in the area.
***WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE***
Colquitt County has been upgraded to Hurricane Warning status as Helene continues to strengthen just off the Yucatan Peninsula.
A flood watch is also in effect for Colquitt County and surrounding areas due to the risk for flash flooding from the projected 5’ to 10” of rain.
The National Weather Service is forecasting that it will continue to move northward into the southern Gulf of Mexico today and then accelerate north-northeast tonight into Thursday.
“Folks should continue to prepare for a major hurricane bringing significant impacts starting early to midday Thursday,” the service’s briefing stated.
The wind threat for Colquitt County and surrounding areas has been forecasted by the service for a potential of 74 t0 110 mph.
The National Weather Service stated in this morning’s briefing that there is a Marginal Risk (level 1 out of 5) for tornadoes, Thursday, for the western Florida Big Bend northwards toward Albany area.
***TUESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE***
The potential tropical cyclone moving toward the area has been upgraded to a tropical storm, according to a briefing by the National Weather Service, and is expected to become a hurricane tomorrow.
Colquitt County Emergency Management Director Justin Cox said in an email, “Expect widespread power outages, trees down everywhere, and roadways washed out.”
The National Weather Service stated that it expected it to make landfall, as a major hurricane, somewhere along the Florida Big Bend coastline Thursday evening. Impacts could be felt as early as Thursday morning.
The briefing also stated that there is potential for hurricane force winds as far inland as Tifton and a 70% to 80% chance in Moultrie with 4” to 6” inches of rain, as well.
***TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE***
The National Weather Service has updated its forecast on the potential tropical cyclone that is moving toward the area.
Colquitt County Emergency Management Director Justin Cox said in an email, “While the estimated time of arrival has delayed somewhat, the threats have increased for Colquitt County.”
The national weather forecasts the system to move into the southern Gulf of Mexico Wednesday before rapidly heading north-east Wednesday night into Thursday. There is increasing potential for damaging winds, dangerous storm surge and heavy rain across the area, the briefing stated.
Potentially catastrophic wind damage is expected near the eventual landfall point and inland along the track, the service’s briefing also stated.
“Hurricane watches are at the GA/FL line and will likely extend as the day moves on. 74-110 MPH wind potential for us has been forecasted as well as heavy rainfall amounts. I cannot stress this enough, please prepare yourselves now,” Cox said.
MOULTRIE – Monday afternoon the National Weather Service announced that there is a potential tropical cyclone that could impact Colquitt County and surrounding areas.
Colquitt County Emergency Management Director Justin Cox said in an email, “Colquitt County is in the 40-50% chance for Tropical Storm force impacts, including 4-6 inches of rain and strong winds.”
He went on to state the National Weather Service was confident in this forecast with the impacts being felt Thursday morning and possibly continuing all day.
“This storm is expected to strengthen rapidly and move quickly,” Cox said.
The National Weather Service’s briefing stated that the system was expected to strengthen on Tuesday and move northwestward toward the Northeastern Gulf. The system is expected become a hurricane and could reach the coast as a major hurricane and a large storm, in terms of its size.
Because of the storm’s speed, the briefing stated that rainfall total will not be as intense but considerable flash flooding and moderate riverine flooding is possible with the current wet conditions.
Also according to the National Weather Service, there is a 6 to 7 in 10 chance for tropical storm force winds for points along the Florida Big Bend coastline; a 5 to 6 in 10 chance in Tallahassee; a 4 to 5 in 10 chance in Valdosta; and a 3 in 10 chance in Albany and Panama City Beach.