Here’s How Hurricane Helene Could Impact Alabama

Before I give you an overview of Helene, I want to encourage you to monitor its future developments. Any shift in the track could impact our West Alabama forecast. - Mary K. - Weather Forecaster.

As Helene moves across the Gulf of Mexico, conditions are in place that could further strengthen this storm. In fact, Helene is expected to become a MAJOR Hurricane.

Current thoughts predict Helene to become a category-four hurricane with winds of 130 mph.

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The expected landfall is still targeted for Thursday evening in the Florida Big Bend area. It should weaken after landfall, but its fast motion will still impact the southeastern United States.

Here’s How Helene Could Impact Alabama

• Winds in the western half of the state could gust between 20 and 25 mph.
• Expect localized flooding in low-lying and poorly drained areas due to more heavy rainfall.
• Flooding concerns will intensify from Thursday into Friday as Helene moves northward, with its center parallel to Georgia's state line.
• Gusty winds are anticipated as the system nears the area from late Thursday into Friday.
• The mix of saturated soil and gusty winds could lead to numerous fallen trees and potentially widespread power outages.

National Weather Service in Birmingham Helene Highlights

Pre-Helene Heavy Rain Impacts:

Where: 

Portions of Eastern and Southeastern Central Alabama

When: 

Now through Thursday afternoon

Threats: 

1 to 3" of rain generally along and east of Interstate 65

2 to 4" of rain generally along and east of a line from Anniston to Alexander City to near Eufaula

Helene Impacts:

Where: 

Generally near and south of Interstate 20 and near and east of Interstate 65

When: 

Thursday afternoon through Midday Friday

Threats: 

Tornado risk appears minimal at this time

Wind gusts from 40 to 50 mph will be possible across Eastern Alabama, especially in more exposed higher elevations and across the southeast counties near and south of the Interstate 85 corridor and near and east of the Interstate 65 corridor.

Rainfall amounts of 1-2" west of Interstate 65, from 2 to 4 inches near and just east of Interstate 65, and from 4-6 inches with isolated higher amounts across the eastern quarter of Central Alabama.