**HELENE HAS PASSED MOST OF THE AREA...BUT SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS CONTINUE**

* 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.