US: Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene tracking eastward over central Kentucky the evening of Sept. 28 /update 9

Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene is tracking eastward over central Kentucky the evening of Sept. 28, having made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane near Perry in Florida's Big Bend region at around 11:10 EDT Sept. 26. As of 10:00 CDT, the system's center of circulation was approximately 80 km (50 miles) south-southeast of Louisville, Kentucky.

Forecast models indicate that the storm will track slowly eastward before dissipating over the coming hours. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and significant changes could occur over the coming hours and days.

As of the evening of Sept. 28, authorities have rescinded all coastal watches and warnings. The National Weather Services (NWS) is maintaining several flood warnings and advisories across portions of the southern and central Appalachians through Sept. 28.

The storm is forecast to generate additional rainfall amounts of 2.5-5 cm (1-2 inches), with isolated amounts of up to 7.5 cm (3 inches) possible, across portions of the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians through Sept. 29; 2.5-5 cm (1-2 inches) of additional rainfall is likely across the western Florida Peninsula. Swells from Helene will continue to affect much of the Atlantic Seaboard from Florida to Long Island, New York, through Sept. 28. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Reports indicate flooding, damage, and downed power lines across parts of the Southeast and Ohio Valley as of the evening of Sept. 28; damage assessments are ongoing and it will likely take some time before officials can confirm the full impact of the storm. Authorities have reported at least 56 storm-related fatalities across the Southeast, including 19 people in South Carolina and 17 people in Georgia. Dozens of people remain unaccounted for. Moreover, a tornado that passed through Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the afternoon of Sept. 27, wounded 15 people and damaged 14 buildings.

First responders rescued more than 200 people in North Carolina; rescue operations are underway in Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village. Parts of western North Carolina are isolated due to landslides and flooding; hundreds of roads are closed, including Interstate 40. Interstate 26 has since reopened, but most roads into Asheville remain closed. The bridge network across the Nolichucky River in Greene County, Tennessee, is severely compromised; many residents south of the river, especially in the vicinity of Highway 107, are isolated. Greene County's water supply is in critical condition; authorities have urged residents to conserve water. Millions of people across the Southeast and Ohio Valley regions are without power as of the evening of Sept. 28, with the worst affected states being Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency across 41 of the state's 67 counties Sept. 23 before expanding it to 61 counties Sept. 24. President Joe Biden approved a federal emergency declaration for Alabama, , Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. States of emergency are also in effect in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Officials declared a public health emergency in Florida Sept. 26 and in Georgia Sept. 27. Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders are in place across dozens of counties in Florida; for the latest information concerning evacuations, click HERE. Mandatory evacuations are also in place in parts of Asheville in western North Carolina following flooding, and in downtown Newport, Tennessee following a catastrophic failure of the Waterville Dam. Water in the Lake Lure Dam in Rutherford County, North Carolina, is overflowing; evacuations are in place from the Dam to Island Creek Road. Several schools and universities are closed across parts of the Southeast. There is no cellular coverage in much of the affected area.

Thousands of flights are canceled or delayed across the southeastern US since Sept. 25, with Atlanta, Charlotte, Fort Myers, and Tampa and among the worst affected locations. Tampa International (TPA), St. Pete-Clearwater International (PIE), Tallahassee International (TLH), Peter O. Knight (TPF), Tampa Executive (VDF), and Plant City (PCM) airports reopened Sept. 27. Other airports affected by cancelations and delays include Southwest Florida International (RSW), Sarasota-Bradenton International (SRQ), Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International (ATL), Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), Jacksonville International (JAX), Miami International (MIA), Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (FLL), and Orlando International (MCO) airports.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger additional flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

Inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Further flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary port closures are also possible. Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding increase insect- and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.