Helene Live Updates: 15 dead, 1M without power across Georgia

ATLANTA - With Tropical Storm Helene continuing on its path north and out of the State of Georgia, more than just property has been lost or damaged. Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Thursday at 11:20PM with 140 mph sustained winds.

At least 15 people have died in Georgia from causes related to Hurricane Helene, according to Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp confirmed to the Associated Press.

Helene officially formed in the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 1 storm and strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday evening.

After making landfall, the storm weakened in strength and has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm.

From Thursday to Friday, 95.5 WSB Meteorologist Christina Edwards was in the Storm Center tracking heavy rain in metro Atlanta with gusting winds as high as 70 miles per hour that continued into Friday morning.

On top of the property damage and power outages, officials have confirmed to ABC News that at least six other lives had been lost in Florida and North and South Carolinas.

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LIVE UPDATES:

6:33 p.m.

Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp will tour hurricane wreckage in Valdosta on Saturday.

5:21PM

Chattahoochee River levels are still at Major Flood stage but have begun to fall.

4:19PM

At least 15 people have died in Georgia from causes related to Hurricane Helene, according to Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp.

3:43PM

Jackson EMC just sent in these new power outage numbers:

• Banks 501
• Barrow 286
• Clarke 269
• Franklin 9
• Gwinnett 11
• Hall 1,306
• Jackson 1,436
• Lumpkin 44
• Madison 605
• Oglethorpe 3

2:30PM:

WSB’s Meteorologist Christina Edwards states that Helene has been downgraded to a Tropical Depression with 35 mph sustained winds.

1:56PM:

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has declared a State of Emergency after Tropical Storm Helene.

After Helene moved through metro Atlanta and north Georgia on Friday morning, the City of Atlanta and many others are dealing with major flooding.

“Due to the devastating impacts of Tropical Storm Helene, including significant flooding and power outages, I am declaring a State of Emergency for the City of Atlanta, effective immediately. This declaration will allow us to access vital federal and state resources to expedite our recovery efforts and ensure the safety and well-being of all Atlanta residents,” the mayor wrote.

The state of emergency went into effect on Friday afternoon and will last until Monday afternoon.

1:09PM:

Flash Flood Warning for Habersham and Rabun County until 4:00 p.m. on Friday.

12:10PM:

At a press briefing Friday afternoon, Governor Brian Kemp reported that 11 people, including one first responder, were killed as a result of Hurricane Helene.

11:40AM:

According to Gov. Brian Kemp, who confirmed the information to ABC News on Friday, two people had died in Wheeler County.

Officials in Laurens County in central Georgia said two others had died, as well.

Details on the other seven Georgia deaths were not immediately available.

In Florida, ABC News received confirmation from the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis that one person had died on Interstate 4 while driving near Tampa when a sign fell on their car and another had died when a tree fell on their home in the Big Bend.

For the Carolinas, officials told ABC News and the Associated Press that two had died in Anderson County, S.C. one died in Catawba County, N.C. and another had died in Charlotte, N.C.

Officials in each impacted state are still working to help residents with recovery and to tally the damage to communities that the storm swept through.

9:00AM:

Fulton County Emergency Management says the high wind threat has ended, but to avoid downed trees, or anything that may be touching downed power lines and debris. Despite the rain ending, Atlanta-Fulton County also says the Flash Flood Emergency stands until it expires at 1pm. There is still severe flooding in several areas with roadways inaccessible and a few water rescues continuing.

8:45AM:

Reports indicate that 1.1 million customers are without power statewide.

7:10AM:

National Weather Service issues a Flash Flood Emergency for portions of Metro Atlanta. Regions include Midtown, College Park, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Forrest Park, Riverdale and Jonesboro. Also the warning area includes Mechanicsville, Tucker, Doraville, Chamblee, Clarkston, and Stone Mountain. The warning indicates the possibility of catastrophic flooding.

6:55AM:

Flight Aware reports more than 250 flights delayed or canceled at Hartsfield-Jackson.

6:42AM:

Cobb County Fire confirmed the rescues of several drivers from flooded roads countywide. Woodland Brook at Brandy Station was the scene of one of the water rescues. In another incident, a tree came down on a car on Shenandoah Trail, but no injuries were reported. A total of 23 trees are down on roads across the county.

The Atlanta Fire Department confirmed that they rescued over 25 civilians Friday morning. They are using MARTA buses for civilians to take shelter from the flooding. Officials report that wind-related emergencies have been minimal.

6:33AM:

A family of two adults and one infant were rescued after being trapped on the roof of their car along Bohler Road in Atlanta, according to fire department officials. Firefighters used a kayak to reach the family, as well as a couple of dogs.

5:23AM:

According to the Brookhaven Police, North Druid Hills Road at Lenox Park Blvd, Kendrick Drive near Peachtree Road, Tyron Road at Cravenridge Road, Hopkins Terrace at Briarcliff Road, and W. Druid Hills Drive at Buford Highway are all closed.

5:03AM:

Helene has been downgraded to a tropical storm. Wind speeds remain high at 70 miles per hour. The eye of the storm is located 100 miles southeast of Atlanta.

4:45AM:

A man hole cover has come off due to overflowing water on Ponce de Leon Avenue at South Ponce de Leon Avenue.

4:05AM:

The Brookhaven Police have closed North Druid Hills Road at Lenox Park Blvd in both directions because of a tree that has fallen on power lines.

3:30AM:

Three deaths have been reported in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Two people were killed in a possible tornado in south Georgia as the storm approached. Sheriff Randy Rigdon said the deaths happened in a trailer park in Wheeler County, 70 miles southeast of Macon.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said one person died while driving on Interstate 4 when a sign fell onto their car.

A woman had to be rescued from her Griffin home after the roof collapsed on her house along Hammon Drive. She was taken to a hospital for treatment.

3:27AM:

The Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency is reporting high water levels for Noon Day Creek at the 92 bridge.

3:00AM:

The National Hurricane Center’s 3AM Tropical Cyclone Update on Hurricane Helene shows hurricane force winds continuing to move through Georgia.

2:50AM:

Residents of The Peachtree Park Apartments on Peachtree Park Drive rescued by boat early Friday morning due to flooding at the complex.

2:43AM:

A Wireless Emergency Alert to evacuate has been sent to Sandy Springs residents along Nancy Creek. Residents are advised to evacuate to higher ground due to extreme flooding. According to Sandy Springs officials, the bridge near Windsor Parkway over Nancy Creek is closed. Detour to Peachtree Dunwoody Road to Peachtree Road to Wieuca Road to Roswell Road or Peachtree Dunwoody Road North to Glenridge Connector.

2:18AM:

Helene has been downgraded to a Category 1 storm with winds up to 90 mph.

2:00AM:

The DOT is reporting that the I-20 Eastbound ramp to I-285 southbound on the inner loop is starting to flood.

1:00AM:

Up to 5 feet of water is reported on Briarcliff Road at Briarlake Road near Lakeside High School.

12:22AM:

Georgia Tech EMA reporting 4.75″ of rain in the past 24 hours, 8.25 inches since Wednesday. A rain gauge in the I-85/GA 400 area of Buford Highway is reporting 8.40 inches of rain in the past 24 hours.

11:51PM:

The Windsor Parkway Bridge over Nancy Creek between Northland and Peachtree Dunwoody Road is closed due to flooding. Flooding is also impacting all lanes in South Fulton on Highway 92 near Lees Lake Road.

11:45PM:

The Fulton County EMA reports that evacuations are ongoing along Nancy Creek in Sandy Springs.

11:36 PM:

Flash flood warning extended to Coweta, Pickens, Fayette, Douglas, Paulding, Cobb, Fulton, Cherokee, Carroll, DeKalb, Clayton, and Bartow counties until 5:30am Friday.

11:20PM:

Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm with 140 mph sustained winds. It is the strongest storm on record in the region, bringing extreme winds and storm surge to the Florida coast. Helene will maintain hurricane strength as it tracks into southern Georgia. It will gradually weaken as it races north through the state, ending up in Tennessee by Friday afternoon, likely as a tropical storm at the time.

11:00PM:

2 people killed in possible tornado in south Georgia as Hurricane Helene approaches, sheriff says.

10:26PM:

Trees down in Paulding County on Cartersville Highway northbound at Ferguson blocking the right lane.

Flooding on I-285 southbound before Ponce de Leon has all but one left lane blocked.

10:11PM:

Flooding is blocking one right lane on Highway 78 eastbound at Clarion Road in DeKalb county.

9:33PM:

One right lane blocked by a sinkhole on Jimmy Carter Blvd southbound at Buford Highway

9:23 p.m.

A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Barrow, Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Lamar, Pike, Rockdale, Spalding, Upson and Walton counties until 3:15 a.m. Friday.

8:52PM:

Frog Road at Luella Road in Locust Grove is flooded and barricades are in place.

8:28PM:

Brookhaven Police are reporting multiple sinkholes on Buford Highway in the 3540 block.

Several metro schools have announced closures and digital learning days ahead of Hurricane Helene’s arrival including Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, and DeKalb County schools.

During a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, Governor Brian Kemp, GEMA, and other government officials reported to the public of their plans for preparations and response to the Category 3 hurricane for all 159 counties in Georgia.

“This will be a statewide event.” said Kemp. “This is one of the biggest storms we’ve ever had.” He mentions he is worried about widespread extended power outages, spin up tornadoes, flash flooding, and even the possibility of mudslides in the north Georgia mountains.

Kemp confirmed that officials feel certain they will be removing debris and clearing roads. He recommends that everyone prepare and be ready before nightfall and to hunker down once Helene arrives.

In anticipation of the storm, Governor Brian Kemp declared a State of Emergency on Tuesday. Additionally, President Joe Biden approved a “major disaster declaration” for FEMA to assist Georgia.

The worst of the storm will hit during the night hours, making it even more dangerous.

Officials announced Atlanta’s parks department has canceled all activities for Thursday and Friday but will have staff on standby 24/7 to deal with problems as they arise.

Officials for Delta Airlines, which is headquartered in Atlanta, say that any customer who experiences flight cancellations through Sept. 27 due to the hurricane are able to rebook future travel for free. The deadline to rebook is Oct. 1, officials say.

For more information about flight cancellations or delays, click here.

Mayor Dickens says all non-essential employees have been told to work from home.

The Salvation Army announced they’d be opening a weather shelter beginning Thursday night to help those in need as Hurricane Helene travels north.

According to the organization, the Salvation Army Red Shield Services will operate the shelter at their location on Marietta Street NW in Atlanta beginning at 9 p.m.

The shelter will operate on a first-come, first-served basis through Friday morning at 8 a.m.

Residents who live near creeks, streams and rivers in metro Atlanta are concerned that the waterways will flood from heavy rain brought by Hurricane Helene as it moves into Georgia overnight Thursday into Friday.

Those include neighbors living near Peachtree Creek in Buckhead. The residential area has a history of flooding near Bobby Jones Golf Course along Northside Drive.

“We live uphill a bit, so it’s not going to affect us, but some of those homes down along the creek may be affected,” neighbor Eric Laron said.

The creek level late Wednesday night was 13 feet, or about four feet below flood stage, but the creek could easily flood by Friday morning.

Here is what U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency says you should do before, during and after flooding if it occurs.

PREPARE FOR FLOODING

• Know the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning. A watch means flooding is possible. A warning means flooding is occurring or will occur soon.
• Be prepared if flooding is imminent. Pack a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don’t forget to include needed medications.
• Download the WSB Radio app and enable weather alerts for your area to stay weather aware.

WHEN FLOODING OCCURS

• If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground.
• Do not walk through moving water.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water

AFTER FLOODING

• Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
• Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.