CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – Helene was about to make landfall as a major hurricane Thursday night along the Gulf Coast in Florida.
Hurricane Helene was projected to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida around 11 pm on Thursday, Sept. 26. WBTV’s weather team will go live with coverage when landfall happens — you can watch live in the video player up above.
Heavy rain and isolated tornadoes were possible in the Carolinas Thursday night as Helene makes landfall, according to our First Alert meteorologists. The Category 4 hurricane is expected to bring severe winds, rain, and storm surge to the Gulf Coast.
The storm will then move northward, and is projected to impact the Carolinas on Friday morning. Helene will bring the likelihood of heavy rain and gusty winds to the Charlotte area on Friday, according to our First Alert meteorologists.
WBTV meteorologist Rachel Coulter says: Catastrophic flash flooding and the potential for landslides in our mountain and foothill communities is a big concern, and a rare high risk for excessive rainfall is in place. Numerous instances of flash flooding will be likely as far east as Charlotte, with scattered flash flooding in our eastern counties.
Wind gusts could reach 50 to 60 mph, downing trees and allowing for numerous to widespread power outages. The highest winds locally are expected Friday morning and a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for a large part of the area, including the Charlotte Metro.
Click here for the full forecast.
Video forecast: 9 pm Thursday update
Watch our meteorologists’ update on Hurricane Helene as of 9 pm on Thursday, Sept. 26, below.
Tornado watch issued for Charlotte area
The Charlotte Metro area was under a tornado watch Thursday evening into Friday morning amid the storm. The following North and South Carolina counties were under the tornado watch until 8 am on Friday, Sept. 27:
- Anson
- Cabarrus
- Chester, South Carolina
- Chesterfield, South Carolina
- Gaston
- Lancaster, South Carolina
- Mecklenburg
- Union (North Carolina)
- Union (South Carolina)
- Richmond
- York (South Carolina)
Difference between tornado watches, warnings
HAS tornado watch is issued when a tornado is possible in and near the area under the watch. When a watch is in place, the NWS urges affected people to discuss emergency plans, ensure you have adequate supplies, and be prepared to act quickly if a tornado approaches.
HAS tornado warning will be issued if a tornado has been seen, or has been indicated by a weather radar. When a tornado warning is active, there is “imminent danger to life and property,” the NWS says.
HAS tornado emergency is the most severe of tornado alerts. A tornado emergency alert is issued when a violent tornado has touched down in an area — in which there is a “severe threat to human life and property, with catastrophic damage confirmed.”
You can find all active alerts for the Charlotte Metro area right here.
What to do if a tornado is approaching
If a tornado warning is issued, people are urged to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, avoiding any windows. Anyone in a mobile home, vehicle, or outdoors should “move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris,” the NWS said.
If you see a tornado approaching, you are urged not to attempt outrunning it in a vehicle.
“Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe,” the NWS website reads. “The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.”
The NWS encourages people to listen to local news or a NOAA weather radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings.
“Multiple rounds of thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes are possible during severe weather outbreaks,” the NWS said.
Other active weather alerts for Charlotte area
More weather concerns were being monitored in the Charlotte area as Helene prepared to make landfall. Impacts from the storm were expected to bring hazards, such as flooding, to the area.
Tropical storm warnings were active across the Charlotte area through Friday afternoon.
Flood watches and warnings were issued for several counties through the weekend.
Click here to see active vs. inactive weather alerts for the area.
Find our latest weather forecasts online here. Follow along with our latest coverage on the WBTV Weather app.
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