KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Storms swept through East Tennessee Wednesday, dumping rain and sparking flooding concerns for most of the day. Those concerns will linger through Friday, as Hurricane Helene approaches the southern United States and later impacts areas north of the coast, including East Tennessee.
A Flood Warning is in effect for Blount, Grainger, Knox, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Sevier, Greene, Cocke, Jefferson, Claiborne and Union Counties.
Starting at around 8 p.m. Thursday, a High Wind Watch could also go into effect for most of East Tennessee, kicking up gusts that may reach around 60 mph in the valley areas and around 80 mph in the mountains. Hurricane Helene will also bring more rain. The wind watch should last until at least 8 p.m. on Friday.
A High Wind Warning was also issued for most of the eastern mountainous regions in East Tennessee, with gusts reaching 80 mph. During High Wind Warnings, people should make sure to prepare for possible power outages, since trees could topple and damage electricity infrastructure.
There is a chance for Hurricane Helene to stay a hurricane up through Atlanta, weakening only when it approaches north Georiga. It should be categorized as a tropical depression by the time it reaches East Tennessee, according to forecasts.
During storms, people should remember never to drive through puddles. There's no way to tell how deep they are, and driving through a flooded area can damage cars and trap people inside. Whenever anyone hears thunder, they should also head indoors to avoid dangerous winds and rain.
When will the weather impact me the most?
People can expect rain and wind to last throughout the day on Thursday. Heavier rain could move into the area too, increasing concerns of flooding.
At around 8 p.m., they can expect winds to pick up as Hurricane Helena officially moves into East Tennessee. By then, they should make sure all of their patio furniture is secured and anything that could fly away is brought inside.
The wind and rain should linger overnight Thursday and into Friday morning, continuing through the morning commute. By midday, the weather should begin to clear.
How can the weather impact me?
Heavy rain can cause flooding, block roads and potentially damage homes. People should take precautions in case of flooding, such as staying vigilant in areas prone to floods. Most of the time, these can be near creeks and rivers. Anyone on the road when storms roll in should also make sure not to drive through large puddles.
Often, puddles can be deeper than they appear and trying to drive through them can damage cars and trap people inside them. Avoid puddles while on the road. If there's thunder, people should also take shelter inside a sturdy building.
Strong winds can also send debris flying, possibly causing further damage to buildings.
East Tennessee has also gone through a recent drought, resulting in dry soil that both elevates flooding risks and weakens roots. During strong winds, there is also a chance for trees to topple, blocking roads and damaging homes. They could also hit power lines, knocking out electricity for people in the area.
Before Hurricane Helene moves into East Tennessee, people should make sure they have everything they may need in case the power goes out or their home is damaged. That includes any necessary medication, a flashlight, a way to stay updated on the weather and charged battery packs for their phones.