Hurricane Local Statement and Tropical Storm Watch Issued for Macon County

**2.16pm**

Macon County Schools- Franklin area- will have a remote learning day on Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27, due to forecasted flash flooding and inclement weather approaching western NC. Please know that student and staff safety is our top priority and our decision to move to remote learning was made in collaboration with the Macon County Emergency Management Staff.

The Town of Franklin as seen from a nearby hill. The view is looking to the west and was photographed by Bobby Coggins the morning of Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

We are under multiple watches. For the first time I remember, a Local Hurricane Statement for Macon County has been issued. We are also under a Tropical Storm Watch and a Flood Watch. All those are posted below.l

Rainfall is starting in the county due to a line of slow moving storms from the southwest. Rain from HELENE will be here tomorrow and the chance of flooding is increasing. There may also be high winds with the system Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon. Winds in the higher elecations and on the HIghlands Plateau could exceed 40 to 60 mph, with sustained wind speeds exceeding 20 mph. For the rest of us, wind gusts will be in the 20 to 50 mph range and sustained withs in excess of 10 to 15 mph.

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Tropical Cyclone Helene is forecast to make landfall over the Florida Panhandle late Thursday, with the remnant circulation moving quickly north bringing gusty winds and heavy rainfall to our area Thursday night into Friday. Expect a calmer weekend with temperatures near seasonal normals.

SUMMARY…Slow-moving and training thunderstorms associated with the developing predecessor rain event (PRE) are likely to cause an urban flash flooding threat as they approach the region.

DISCUSSION…Heavy rainfall associated with the Predecessor Rain Event (PRE) brings the potential for isolated flash, urban, and small stream flooding impacts along the southern Appalachian Mountains of NC, TN, and VA, and will further ripen antecedent conditions for rainfall from Hurricane Helene. Rainfall over the last two days has moistened topsoils in the mountainous regions and reduced the in-channel storage capacity of area streams. Even in areas with drier soils, heavy rainfall rates could locally overwhelm infiltration rates and form efficient runoff processes. Flash and urban flooding are the initial threats from this event, but the small stream flooding potential will increase steadily throughout the day. Issuance of another AHD after this expires is possible to cover impacts due to additional rainfall tonight. Also, those living on steep slopes should be mindful of potential mus slide and land slide events. Those who commute on roadways with steep slopes on either side should drive carefully and on the lookout for slides that may block roadways.

Hurricane Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 9 National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC AL092024 1135 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

This product covers the western Carolinas and NE Georgia

…HELENE TO BRING SIGNIFICANT FLASH FLOODING AND STRONG WIND GUSTS TO THE WESTERN CAROLINAS AND NORTHEAST GEORGIA…

* STORM INFORMATION:
– About 950 miles south-southwest of Greenville/Spartanburg SC or about 990 miles south-southwest of Asheville NC
– 21.6N 86.3W
– Storm Intensity 80 mph
– Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 10 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
——————

Tropical Storm Helene is expected to make landfall over the Florida Panhandle Thursday evening and race north into Georgia and the western Carolinas. Significant flash flooding and mainstem flooding is likely Thursday into early Friday, especially along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. 40-50 MPH wind gusts will be associated with Helene as the storm tracks just west of the County Warning Area Thursday night into Friday morning. The combination of saturated soils and strong wind gusts will result in numerous trees down, leading to numerous power outages. Numerous landslides may occur across the mountains, with a couple of large, damaging debris flows/slope failures. An isolated tornado or two can`t be ruled out during this event as well.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
—————–

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible devastating impacts across the North Carolina mountains, northeast Georgia, and Upstate South Carolina. Potential 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.

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having significant impacts across the North Carolina mountains, northeast Georgia, and Upstate South Carolina. Potential impacts in this area 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.

Elsewhere across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia. Potential impacts include:
– The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
– A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions.
– Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
———————————-

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground.

* 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
————————————————-
URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Helene Local Watch/Warning Statement/Advisory Number 9
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC AL092024
1127 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

…TROPICAL STORM WATCH IN EFFECT…

A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
– Franklin

* WIND
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind
– Peak Wind Forecast: 20-30 mph with gusts to 55 mph

– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph
– PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force.
– PREPARE: Efforts to protect property should now be underway. Prepare for limited wind damage.
– ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind becomes hazardous.

– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
– 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
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect
– Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 6-10 inches, with locally higher amounts

– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for extreme flooding rain
– PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for extreme flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely.
– PREPARE: Urgently consider protective actions from extreme and widespread rainfall flooding.
– ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.

– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Devastating to Catastrophic
– 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.

* TORNADO
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
– Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes

– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few tornadoes
– PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a few tornadoes.
– PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives.
– ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly.

– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
– The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
– A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions.
– Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
– https://readync.org 

Source: http://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/2024/09/hurricane-local-statement-and-tropical.html