Helene made landfall at 11:10 p.m. EDT on Thursday night, striking about 10 miles west-southwest of Perry, Florida, as a powerful Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds.

The storm is now positioned about 105 miles north-northeast of Atlanta, moving rapidly northward at 32 mph. Its maximum sustained winds have decreased to 45 mph.

Numerous flash flood warnings remain active. Several of these warnings this morning have escalated to high-end flash flood emergencies across parts of western North Carolina, including Asheville, as well as upstate South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and northern Georgia, including the Atlanta area. These alerts indicate that severe flooding has already been reported in those regions.

Record-breaking flood crests have been measured along several rivers in North Carolina, including the Pigeon River in Canton, the French Broad River in Fletcher, and the Swannanoa River near Biltmore in the Asheville area.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado watch covering parts of eastern South Carolina, North Carolina, and southern Virginia.

⚠️ Attention truckers – Hurricane Helene is rapidly approaching and could disrupt your routes and safety on the road. Here’s everything you need to stay informed and stay safe:

Key Safety Tips:

Plan Your Routes: Avoid hurricane zones—check your GPS and apps like Trucker Path or Waze for real-time updates.
High Winds: Reduce speed and increase following distance, especially in open areas.
Flooding: Never attempt to drive through flooded roads—it only takes a foot of water to lose control.
Shelter: Find a safe place to park and secure your truck if you’re near the storm’s path. Rest stops and trucker-friendly parking lots outside the impact zone are your best bet.

Stay Informed:

Use apps like WeatherRadar or MyRadar to track the storm’s progress.
Monitor road closures and safety updates through state DOT websites or 511 services.
CB Radio: Stay connected with other drivers to share critical info about changing weather and road conditions.

• Currently, these Pilot Flying J locations are closed due to a power outage.
  Pilot #4569 – Hardeeville, SC
  Flying J #633 – Union Point, GA
  Pilot #4566 – Blacksburg, SC
  Pilot #310 – Duncan, SC
  Flying J #714 – Rock Hill, SC
  One9 #61 – Clinton, SC
  Pilot #1063 – Marion, NC
  Pilot #4580 – Prosperity, SC
  Pilot #453 – Gaffney, SC
  Pilot #4557 – Carnesville, GA
  Pilot #4576 – St. George, SC
  Pilot #338 – Cayce, SC
  Pilot #4584 – Latta, SC
  Flying J #713 – Latta, SC
  Pilot #420 – Madison, GA
  Pilot #65 – Augusta, GA
  Mr. Fuel #72 – Savannah, GA
  Pilot #393 – Waynesville, NC
  Pilot #68 – Dublin, GA
  Pilot #144 – Augusta, GA
  Pilot #60 – Bowman, SC
  Pilot Dealer #1058 – Waldo, FL
  Flying J #627 – Brunswick, GA
  Pilot #71 – Port Wentworth, GA
  Pilot #1390 – Ellabell, GA
  Pilot #192 – Tifton, GA
  One9 Dealer #1403 – Jasper, FL
  One9 Dealer #1401 – Lake City, FL
  Pilot #4561 – Valdosta, GA
  Pilot #500 – Jasper, FL
  Flying J #631 – Lake Park, GA
  Pilot #425 – Midway, FL
  Flying J #623 – Midway, FL

Below you can find the link useful for the status and progress of the hurricane.

NOAA storm track:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/024746.shtml?tswind120

Stay smart, stay safe, and keep an eye on the storm!