(Cleveland)- Weather and local public safety officials continue to urge residents to be prepared for hurricane Helene as it is expected to move up through the state following landfall late Thursday night.
The National Weather Service has repeatedly said this could be an unprecedented event for north and central Georgia given the expected track and strength of Helene.
Meteorologist Keith Stellman during a weather briefing Thursday afternoon said almost all of the state, including Northeast Georgia is under a Tropical Storm Warning, which could result in gusty winds from 30-70 miles per hour. The rain will ramp up as we go through the evening and nighttime hours the weather service expects parts of northeast Georgia to see an additional 4- 6 inches of rain by Friday afternoon.
The weather service notes that there is a very high risk of downed trees and powerlines that could lead to widespread and extended power outages.
David Murphy, White County Public Safety Director advised this afternoon that the White County Emergency Operation Center is at level 1, OPCON 2 status. According to Murphy, that means that Emergency Service personnel have been briefed and assigned.
White County Government Office, non-essential staff were dismissed at 3 PM and the offices will be closed Friday. Non-essential employees may be called back in if necessary.
Murphy advises that Richard Russell Scenic Highway will close at 4 PM today no other road closures are reported at this time. White County EMA urges all to prepare to shelter in place for at least 72 hours. Stay home, off roads for the duration of this event.
White County EMA urges all to prepare to shelter in place Thursday night and for at least 36 hours. Stay home, off roads for the duration of this event. Refer to the White County Public Safety Facebook page for the latest county-specific information. Refer to Ready.gov for ways to prepare.
Refer to the White County Public Safety Facebook page for the latest county-specific information. Refer to Ready.gov for ways to prepare.
