PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (GA NC SC) SAWSC's Hurricane Helene Response

Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2024 16:21:54 EDT

Summary: Hurricane Helene brought heavy rain, strong winds, and widespread power outages across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, leading to historic flooding and significant floodwater damage in Asheville, NC, as well as localized flooding in low-lying areas of metro Atlanta.

1. Hurricane Helene brought 5-15 inches rain, destructive winds and power outages to large portions of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
2. After making landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm, Helene moved inland, bringing torrential rainfall across Georgia and the southern Appalachian region. Areas such as Atlanta, Asheville, and western North Carolina experienced extreme or record high river levels, flash floods, landslides, and extensive river flooding. The mountainous terrain around Asheville, NC and Upstate SC worsened the flooding, creating dangerous conditions for local communities.
3. The storm saturated the region. Many gages in Western NC recorded extreme and historic water levels. Several stream gages exceeded the peak of record in North Georgia and western parts of the Carolinas. Major basins affected include the French Broad and Catawba Basins in Western NC, Urban tributaries of the Chattahoochee Basin in low-lying parts of Atlanta, and the Ogeechee and Savannah River Basin in GA/SC.
4. An estimated 10-20 gages in Asheville NC and Upstate SC area have been damaged or inundated, with news of more still coming in. Minor gage repairs are being addressed in other impacted areas.
5. The Norcross, Urban Atlanta, Charlotte, Tifton, Savannah, and Raleigh units deployed around 18 crews on Saturday to make local repairs and high-water measurements. Due to the high level of impact, there is a standdown on sending any outside crews to Asheville or upstate South Carolina area until the situation is more closely assessed.
6. SAWSC field offices are coordinating to identify needs, available resources and timetable for addressing widespread gage damage in Asheville.