Here are the latest details on Hurricane Helene, which AccuWeather experts now say could intensify to a Category 4 hurricane:
Click here to read the 3 p.m. update.
SC EMERGENCY: South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order declaring a State of Emergency in preparation for Hurricane Helene. The order activates the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan. It directs the South Carolina Emergency Management Division to coordinate with state agencies to prepare for requests from local officials for help.
“Although South Carolina will likely avoid the brunt of Hurricane Helene’s impacts, the storm is still expected to bring dangerous flooding, high winds, and isolated tornadoes to many parts of the state,” McMaster said. “This State of Emergency ensures that Team South Carolina has the necessary resources in place to respond to these potential impacts. South Carolinians in potentially affected areas should start to take precautions now and monitor local weather forecasts over the next several days.”
GEORGIA DOT: Georgia Department of Transportation district teams have equipment loaded, and crews are on alert. This includes immediate-response strike teams ready to respond to the hurricane as it approaches and makes landfall overnight on Thursday evening and Friday morning.
SC DOT: The South Carolina Department of Transportation is preparing for potential impacts related to Hurricane Helene. Crews in the affected areas have begun preparing and are ready to respond.
FEMA APPROVES FLORIDA REQUEST: Following Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ request, FEMA approved the state’s pre-landfall disaster declaration request. The pre-landfall declaration request is for the 41 Florida counties included in Executive Order 24-208 and will provide federal resources and help, including personnel, equipment and supplies. It will also make available funding sources for emergency protective measures.
