According to NOAA’s National Weather Service, Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall on the evening of September 26 along Florida’s northwest coast as a major hurricane.
However, the impacts of Helene’s heavy rainfall and high winds will extend far beyond the Gulf Coast, reaching hundreds of miles inland. The storm, which has an unusually large wind field stretching 275 miles from its center, will bring heavy rainfall to the southeastern U.S. even before landfall and continue moving northward into the southern Appalachians through Friday. Forecasts indicate up to 18 inches of rainfall in some areas.
Communities in Tallahassee, metro Atlanta, and western North Carolina, especially around Asheville, face significant flood risks due to saturated grounds and high river levels from recent rain. Furthermore, NOAA informs that the mountainous terrain in the southern Appalachians is particularly vulnerable to flash floods, landslides, and extensive river flooding, potentially impacting communities along Helene’s path.
The American P&I Club, has issued a guide, as part of its “All Hands on Deck” series, with best practices for transiting waters during heavy weather. The practices can be found here.
To remind, The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are convening a symposium in London from September 23-26 to unite the meteorology, oceanography, and maritime sectors to tackle extreme weather at sea. This week’s symposium aims to strengthen collaboration between the metocean forecasters and the maritime industry, share knowledge, and bridge the gaps identified.
