Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida late Thursday night.
ATLANTA — Helene arrived in metro Atlanta as a tropical storm Friday morning and brought with it widespread flooding, inundating Buckhead and inner suburbs along the Chatahoochee River.
RELATED:'Turn around, don't drown': Video shows Cobb Fire personnel make rescue of woman from flooded car
Hurricane Helene moved into Georgia after midnight and, around 5 a.m., was downgraded to a tropical storm. It has battered south and central Georgia and roughly 1 million customers in the state are without power, according to figures from Georgia Power and Georgia EMC.
Across the state, 17 people have died, Gov. Brian Kemp said. Two of them, 11Alive's sister station in Macon reported, were children: a 4-year-old boy and 7-year-old girl who died when a tree in the backyard fell into a bedroom.
The storm caused significant issues mainly with flooding. Waterways across the region have flood warnings in place, and residents at apartment complexes in Atlanta and in Buckhead neighborhoods needed water rescues.
Also Friday morning, Gov. Brian Kemp authorized the deployment of 1,000 Georgia National Guard troops -- in addition to 250 already deployed -- to aid in Helene recovery efforts.
Many Georgia schools had already canceled classes for Friday; here's our current list:Georgia school closings for Hurricane Helene
To track Helene live, click here for an interactive radar
Hurricane Helene live updates for Metro Atlanta, north Georgia | Friday, Sept. 27
9:58 p.m. |The Newton County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook saying that Highway 212 at the South River will be closed between Lummus and Highway 81 due to flooding. All lanes are closed, and detour signs will be posted in the area.
7:49 p.m. |Georgia Power announced they had restored power to more than 250,000 customers since the beginning of the storm -- yet roughly 620,000 customers remain without power across the state.
The company announced they are bringing in more resources from outside its area from Alabama Power, Mississippi Power and dozens of other companies. They have more than 14,000 personnel coming to help restore power.
Georgia Power restoration update
On Friday evening, Georgia Power announced they now have estimated restoration times for Georgia communities that include Albany, Alpharetta, Americus, Atlanta, Austell, Canton, Carrollton, Cartersville, Columbus, Dalton, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Newnan, Rome, Smyrna and Tucker.
All customers need to do to be able to check their outage status in these communities is visit this link and log in to their account to be able to find the section to check their outage status.
6:39 p.m. | Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp will tour Helene damage in Valdosta on Saturday. Kemp will offer an update on Helene's impacts from Lowndes County on Saturday morning around 11:30 a.m. He will be joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings, General Dwayne Wilson of the Georgia National Guard, Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper, Insurance Commissioner John King, among other emergency management leaders.
5:50 p.m. | A tree fell on a DeKalb County couple's home, creating significant damage:
5:45 p.m. | University of Georgia students are talking about the aftermath of Helene in Athens:
5:40 p.m. | The Chattahoochee River is overflowing and has flooded areas of Cobb County:
5:35 p.m. |Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is urging Georgians to be patient this weekend when traveling:
5 p.m. | A flooding update in metro Atlanta:
4:50 p.m. | An update on the flooding in DeKalb County.
4:45 p.m. |The Helene aftermath can be felt in Rockdale County, specifically in Conyers, for two women who suffered damage to their homes when a tree collapsed on them during heavy storms from Helene.
Beverly Rosen said she jumped out of bed when she heard the noise of trees falling on her house. She called the damage "incredible." She described that she can see the sky from both rooms and the windows are completely gone.
Rosen was busy outside searching for her missing cat, who ran away when the tree came crashing down. But the good news for the Conyers resident -- she found her missing cat on Friday afternoon.
4:30 p.m. | At least 15 people have died in Georgia from causes related to Hurricane Helene, according to Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp.
RELATED: At least 15 dead in Georgia from impacts of Hurricane Helene, officials confirm
3:45 p.m. |Our sister station in Macon, WMAZ, now reports that among the dead in central Georgia are two children, a 4-year-old boy and 7-year-old girl from Washington County.
Sheriff Joel Cochran said that the two children died when a tree in the backyard fell into a bedroom.
3:00 p.m. | Helene set a rainfall record in Atlanta according to the Georgia Climate Office:
Atlanta received the highest 48-hour rainfall on record over the past 2 days. 11.12 inches of rain soaked the area, beating out the previous record of 9.59 inches in 48 hours in 1886. Record keeping stretches back to 1878. #gawx #helene2024
— GA Climate Office (@gaclimateoffice) September 27, 2024
1:40 p.m. | Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has declared a State of Emergency to access federal and state resources for recovery efforts:
"Due to the devastating impacts of Tropical Storm Helena, including significant flooding and power outages, I am declaring a State of Emergency for the City of Atlanta, effective immediately. This declaration will allow us to access vital federal and state resources to expedite our recovery efforts and ensure the safety and well-being of all Atlanta residents," the mayor said in a statement.
1:23 p.m. | Couple videos from 11Alive's Liza Lucas:
This looks like a water main break but @ATLFireRescue says there’s actually a manhole cover missing….one more reminder to avoid floodwaters. You don’t know what dangers you’re stepping in…. @11AliveNews pic.twitter.com/CgQUJU7iCu
— Liza Lucas 11Alive (@LizaLLucas) September 27, 2024
and then there’s this…. 🐍 pic.twitter.com/9qRwp1RYR5
— Liza Lucas 11Alive (@LizaLLucas) September 27, 2024
1:20 p.m. |More scope of the flooding in Buckhead:
This is a look at the Galloway Scots baseball field in the West Buckhead/Ridgewood Heights area. You can see the top of the dugout barely above the water; I’m told there are normally bleachers somewhere under the water. @11AliveNews pic.twitter.com/PIw2cScFCI
— Grace King (@gracelking) September 27, 2024
12:35 p.m. |The City of Atlanta is opening recovery centers at C.T. Martin Recreation Center and MLK Recreation Center:
We are opening Recovery Centers to help the community stay powered during this critical time. You can find them at the C.T. Martin Recreation Center (3201 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW) and the MLK Recreation Center (110 Hilliard St SE). As always, don’t forget to check on neighbors who may… pic.twitter.com/9aeBNZMd3E
— City of Atlanta, GA (@CityofAtlanta) September 27, 2024
12:30 p.m. | Flooding at Betty Young Park in Atlanta:
The water levels near Betty Young Park on Alton Road have been higher than knee-deep since early this morning. The waters are finally starting to recede. For context, I am 5ft 10 and the water was higher than my boots were able to cover. @11AliveNews pic.twitter.com/G4nPMYslAR
— Karys Belger (@KarysBelger) September 27, 2024
12:28 p.m. |Badly damaged road in Clayton County:
— GEMA/HS (@GeorgiaEMAHS) September 27, 2024There is road damage in Forest Park, Clayton County area especially around Longleaf and Pine Creek. Stay safe by sheltering in place and staying off the roads if necessary.
Stay tuned for updates and take care of each other during this storm. pic.twitter.com/cN13vFd4mH
12:15 p.m. |Not quite our area, but this scary situation is unfolding south of Asheville:
URGENT: FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR THE LAKE LURE DAM! DAM FAILURE IMMINENT! RSIDENTS BELOW THE DAM NEED TO EVACUATE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY! #ncwx https://t.co/InksFUUYF6
— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) September 27, 2024
12:04 p.m. |Governor warns about continuing potential for trees falling and the danger that comes with that, saying a tree fell at the Governor's Mansion after he'd left this morning.
11:57 a.m. |South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta is without power, after an outage and then a tree fell on the facility's emergency generator.
11:55 a.m. |Gov. Kemp says there will be a water release at Lake Rabun, and people who live downstream are being evacuated.
"If they don't leave, they should know they're gonna be stuck there for at least a day or multiple hours," Kemp said.
11:53 a.m. | The governor also said there are multiple structures around the state where people are trapped and rescuers are trying to reach them.
Kemp said in Valdosta they've identified 115 structures that are heavily damaged where there are multiple people trapped inside.
11:50 a.m. |Gov. Kemp says there have been 11 confirmed fatalities in Georgia.
The governor also said this morning there were wind gusts of over 90 mph in south Georgia, including one 100 mph wind gust in Bacon County.
11:46 a.m. |Gov. Kemp now speaking.
11:32 a.m. |MARTA notes its services are up and running.
— MARTA (@MARTAtransit) September 27, 2024🚨 Attention MARTA customers: all MARTA modes are currently up and running. 🚨
Bus service is running slower than normal and 21 routes have detours due to flooding.
Check https://t.co/hoJamWFN7f to plan your ride.
11:00 a.m. |Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to address the news media sometime in the next half hour.
10:45 a.m. | We have video of a water rescue that Atlanta first responders undertook at Bohler Road in the Peachtree Battle area.
10:35 a.m. |The 11Alive Weather Impact Team now reports that the rain has largely ended and winds are calming as Helene leaves us behind.
Click here to see the forecast for what comes next.
10:05 a.m. | Georgia Power CEO Kim Greene spoke in the press conference and touched on when power might be restored. She said they "want to get your power back on just as safely and quickly as possible" and noted that they hope soon to be able to start publishing estimated restoration times for outages.
But, she said, it's still a "little bit too early for that, still out trying to work and assess the damage."
9:53 a.m. |Mayor Dickens asks people to stay off the road as the city is still under a flash flood emergency til 1 p.m. He notes emergency vehicles need clear roads in the cleanup response.
9:52 a.m. | The mayor says Atlanta Fire Rescue Department performed about 20 rescues overnight, involving families, pets, people trapped with cars or at apartments.
9:45 a.m. |Mayor Andre Dickens is now delivering remarks.
9:05 a.m. |Clayton County Police report that a tree fell in front of an officer's cruiser while he was traveling home, "completely destroying it."
Thankfully Officer Soumah only sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
"It’s truly a blessing that he wasn’t driving faster, as the tree could have landed directly on the cab. We are relieved that Officer Soumah is doing well and extend our gratitude for his dedicated service to the citizens of Clayton County," a post said.
Credit: Clayton County Police Department
Credit: Clayton County Police Department
9:00 a.m. |Another alert has gone to phones in Fulton County to notify people that the high wind threat has ended.
9:00 a.m. | Video of some of the flooding in Atlanta:
8:45 a.m. |According to GDOT, flooding reportedly has the westbound direction of Camp Creek Parkway closed where it leads into the I-285 entrance.
8:40 a.m. | Remarkable video of a water rescue in Mableton:
Turn around, don't drown isn't just a cute saying. Cobb Fire has done several rescues like this today. Floodwaters will be an issue throughout the day, even after the rain stops. Don't chance it, stay put for now.
— Cobb County, GA (@cobbcountygovt) September 27, 2024
Follow https://t.co/O0PLDBxiSr for updates. pic.twitter.com/JzZnDz3EHr
8:35 a.m. | Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens will speak about Helene and the city's response at 9:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m. |11Alive's sister station in Macon, WMAZ, reports two people confirmed dead in Laurens County bringing the total in central Georgia to four. Earlier in the morning WMAZ reported on the deaths of two people from a possible tornado in Wheeler County. Additionally, the Blackshear Times in Pierce County reported the death of a firefighter.
8:20 a.m. |Power situation now showing north of 1.1 million customers in Georgia under an outage between Georgia Power and Georgia EMC.
8:05 a.m. | Latest look at radar with the center of the storm passing over Athens and straddling the South Carolina border.
Credit: WXIA
7:45 a.m. |Gov. Kemp has issued an executive order authorizing 1,000 more Georgia National Guard troops to assist in recover efforts.
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) September 27, 2024This morning, I’ve issued an Executive Order authorizing an additional 1,000 @GeorgiaGuard troops to assist in those ongoing recovery efforts as needed in addition to the 250 heading into the field already.
Read more here: https://t.co/ceubTJ02pT
7:28 a.m. | Emergency alert now goes out to phones in Fulton County warning of the high winds.
7:25 a.m. |View of the flooding at Bohler Road:
This picture does not do the situation justice. Peachtree Creek flooding along Bohler Rd. and the rain continues to pour. Hope neighbors are ok pic.twitter.com/Z0G84c1q4n
— Liza Lucas 11Alive (@LizaLLucas) September 27, 2024
7:15 a.m. |Flash flood emergency for Atlanta, south Fulton County, DeKalb, Clayton and elsewhere until 1 p.m.:
Flash Flood Emergency including Atlanta GA, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport GA and East Point GA until 1:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/mXST44J2f0
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) September 27, 2024
6:45 a.m. | If you just got that flash flood warning that went to phones as an emergency alert, that is continuing from through the night and now extended to 12:45 p.m.
A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Fayette co. until 9/27 12:45PM. Do not drive on a flooded road! #storm11 #gawx pic.twitter.com/FD3IRWz9mR
— Melissa Nord (@MelissaNordWx) September 27, 2024
6:40 a.m. |More than 627,000 people are without power statewide, according to a Georgia Power map, and Georgia EMC reports more than 380,000 without power -- nearly a million customers across the state.
Here are some of the notable metro Atlanta/north Georgia county totals via Georgia Power:
- DeKalb County: 16,019
- Fulton County: 8,321
- Gwinnett County: 7,227
- Rabun County: 6,239
- Hall County: 4,734
- Clarke County: 4,614
- Jackson County: 3,384
- Morgan County: 2,236
- Greene County: 2,102
- Bartow County: 1,784
- Clayton County: 1,780
- Habersham County: 1,352
- Cobb County: 1,176
- Oconee County: 1,039
6:30 a.m. |With the center of the storm moving up toward Athens now, we'll soon start seeing some of the stronger winds we've been expecting.
6:20 a.m. |At this time Cobb County reports 23 trees down in roadways, seven flooded roadways, five traffic lights out and flood warnings for Noonday Creek, Nickajack Creek. Allatoona Creek and the Chattahoochee River.
The county also says there are several cars reported underwater on Woodland Brook Drive in Vinings, but no injuries.
6:10 a.m. |Another new flood warning in Cobb, this one for the Chattahoochee River below Morgan Falls Dam also affecting Fulton County. Also one for Big Haynes Creek at Lenora Road near Snellville in Gwinnett.
6:10 a.m. |Stay prepared as you wake up this morning as we're looking at strongest wind gusts through or a little past 7 a.m. And then we'll continue to see gusts into the early afternoon.
5:55 a.m. |NWS with a caution for northwest Georgia folks:
Northwest Georgia: conditions may have seemed "quiet" overnight, but there is concern for bands of heavy rainfall setting up and dumping 2-4 inches (on top of rain that's already fallen) and leading to localized flash flooding through mid- to late morning.#gawx
5:45 a.m. | Flash flood warning until 11:30 a.m. for an area east of Atlanta, including Fayette and south Fulton counties all the way up through Douglas, Cobb, Paulding, Cherokee, Bartow, and on past Calhoun.
Flash Flood Warning including Marietta GA, Smyrna GA and Mableton GA until 11:30 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/BAOi6VZVkZ
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) September 27, 2024
5:40 a.m. | Atlanta Fire Rescue reports they've rescued 25 civilians so far in the Peachtree Battle area of Buckhead due to flooding at Peachtree Creek.
AFR says they currently have MARTA buses for civilians to shelter in.
5:35 a.m. |Here's another look at the flooding at Nancy Creek:
Nancy Creek overflowing off Wieuca Rd @11AliveNews pic.twitter.com/u5Zsn6RGuq
— Liza Lucas 11Alive (@LizaLLucas) September 27, 2024
5:30 a.m. |11Alive's Cody Alcorn giving a look at Piedmont Road for a waterway that is usually nowhere near this swollen:
This is typically a little steam that runs under Piedmont Road near U-Haul and Rollins in Buckhead. pic.twitter.com/EKPmd0WTLQ
— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) September 27, 2024
5:15 a.m. | More flood warnings in Cobb, for Noonday Creek near Marietta and Nickajack Creek near Mableton.
5:05 a.m. |Flash flood warning continues through 7:15 a.m. for a zone stretching from Thomaston up through Atlanta and north to Milton.
5:00 a.m. |More from the latest National Hurricane Center advisory on Helene:
- About 40 miles east of Macon and 100 miles southeast now of Atlanta, in the area of Wilkinson County
- Maximum sustained winds of 70 mph
- Moving north at 30 mph, likely to impact Athens area most directly
- That fast-moving northward speed, the NHC says, "will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians."
4:55 a.m. | Helene has weakened to a tropical storm as it makes its way toward north Georgia:
Tropical Storm #Helene Advisory 16: Helene Weakens to a Tropical Storm as it Moves Farther Inland Over Georgia. Life-Threatening Storm Surge, Winds, and Heavy Rains Continue. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 27, 2024
4:50 a.m. | Flood warning issued for Allatoona Creek at Stilesboro Road near Acworth.
4:25 a.m. |Status update on Helene:
- About 40 miles southeast of Macon in the 4 a.m. advisory update
- Still producing hurricane-force winds -- maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, moving north at 30 mph
- It looks like it will be east of Atlanta and close to our region, potentially around Athens, sometime in the 5 a.m. hour
- 11Alive Meteorologist Nicole Hartford is projecting things will begin to calm down in our area around 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. later in the morning.
4:20 a.m. | Flood warning issued for Sope Creek near Marietta.
4:00 a.m. | Multiple residents were rescued from flooding at a Buckhead apartment complex. Read details here:
RELATED:Numerous residents rescued from Buckhead apartment complex after major flooding from Helene
3:16 a.m. |A flood warning was issued for Woodall Creek at Defoors Ferry Road in Atlanta.
3:15 a.m. |Here are a couple photos our photojournalist Stephen Boissy has sent along from Peachtree Creek:
Credit: Stephen Boissy/WXIA
Peachtree Creek | Sagamore and Northside Drive at Bobby Jones Golf Course
Credit: WXIA
Peachtree Creek | Sagamore and Northside Drive at Bobby Jone
3:05 a.m. | The flash flood warning for this zone has been extended through 5:15 a.m.
Flash Flood Warning continues for Atlanta GA, Sandy Springs GA and Roswell GA until 5:15 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/CZIuKugMhi
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) September 27, 2024
2:42 a.m. |A wireless emergency alert to evacuate has been sent to Sandy Springs residents along Nancy Creek, Fulton EMA said.
A Wireless Emergency Alert to evacuate has been sent to Sandy Springs residents along Nancy Creek. More information on the evacuation can be found at https://t.co/T8Xd0ZCjcT. pic.twitter.com/3RaF4c0iJo
— Atlanta-Fulton County EMA (@AFCEMA) September 27, 2024
2:11 a.m. |11Alive's Chief Meteorologist Chris Holcomb said a new advisory has come in stating that Helene is now a Category 1 Hurricane.
2:08 a.m. | Gov. Brian Kemp sent his condolences on X after learning about the loss of two lives in Wheeler County.
"As we join their families in mourning their deaths, we urge all Georgians to brace for further impact from Helene, remain vigilant and pray for all those affected," Kemp wrote.
2:00 a.m. |The City of Alpharetta is asking people not to call 911 to report trees that have fallen in roadways or on powerlines. Instead, use the online SeeClickFix reporting tool by clicking here.
1:53 a.m. |A woman was hurt in Griffin after her roof caved in, police said. According to Griffin Police, shortly after 11 p.m. on Thursday, law enforcement was called to the 400 block of Hammond Drive in reference to a structure cave-in due to a fallen tree.
Neighbors were alerted to a loud noise and heard calls for help coming from the residents. When first responders arrived, they were able to enter the home that had a collapsed roof. The woman was extricated from the house and taken to the hospital. She is reported to be in stable condition, police said. The City of Griffin is asking everyone to continue to exercise caution.
1:43 a.m. |11Alive's Chief Meteorologist Chris Holcomb describes where the impacts of Hurricane Helene in Georgia will be felt.
1:29 a.m. |Clayton County Emergency Management Agency said that there is significant flooding and roads are blocked off on Upper Riverdale Road near Southern Regional.
1:01 a.m. |Sandy Springs officials said that a large tree is blocking all lanes on Riverside Drive near River North Lane.
12:45 a.m. | Peachtree Creek in Atlanta near the intersection of Sagamore, Woodward Way and Highway 41 is at 20 feet now, 11Alive's Meteorologist Mellisa Nord said. Evacuations may end up being needed.
12:37 a.m. | 11Alive continues to track Hurricane Helen's path as it made landfall in Florida.
12:35 a.m. | Flood warning from 1:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. for Fulton County, NWS said.
12:06 a.m. |Sandy Springs officials said the Windsor Parkway Bridge over Nancy Creek between Northland and Peachtree Dunwoody is closed due to flooding. Officials said to please not attempt to drive around the barricades.
12:11 a.m. | Just after midnight, outages are continuing to tick up in Georgia -- with just shy of 70k Georgia Power customers without electricity. The numbers are expected to increase as Helene pushes into the state.
— Zach Merchant (@ZachMerchantTV) September 27, 2024.@GeorgiaPower outage map just after midnight
Outages ticking up — just shy of 70k GA Power customers without electricity right now
Those numbers expected to increase as #helene pushes into our state#gawx pic.twitter.com/gkeChjPtJu
11:44 p.m. | According to Fulton County Emergency Management, there are ongoing evacuations along Nancy Creek in Sandy Springs.
11:36 p.m. |Flash flood warning issued for Fulton County until 5:30 a.m. A flood warning is from 11:34 p.m. until further notice. There's also a warning in Cobb County, including Marietta, Smyrna and Mableton, until 5:30 a.m., according to NWS Atlanta.
11:23 p.m. |Helene makes landfall along Florida's Big Bend as a Category 4 Hurricane, according to the NWS.
MORE FROM THE 11ALIVE WEATHER IMPACT TEAM
DOWNLOAD THE 11ALIVE APP:
- Download the app on your Apple or Android device.
- Set up weather notifications by clicking the Gear icon in the upper right corner of the app. Select Notification -> Notification Settings -> Severe Weather Alerts -> Toggle the Severe Weather Alerts button to the right to turn alerts on.
- Send photos and videos through the app by selecting the Near Me feature on the bottom right taskbar of the app and entering your information.
TEXT YOUR WEATHER PHOTOS TO US:404-885-7600
JOIN THE 11ALIVE WEATHER IMPACT TEAM'S FACEBOOK GROUP:Nearly 10,000 metro Atlanta and north Georgia weather enthusiasts share their weather photos every day.Click here to join the group!