ATLANTA — Helene was downgraded to a Tropical Storm as it made its way through Georgia after making landfall late Thursday night in Florida’s panhandle.
Helene arrived as a Category 1 storm in southern counties of the Channel 2 Action News viewing area with strong Tropical Storm conditions as it moved into metro Atlanta. The storm initially made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm.
Areas across the metro are experiencing flooding from non-stop rain.
Here is a minute-by-minute look at what’s happening:
7:11 a.m.
Two deaths related to Helene have been confirmed in Laurens County by Dublin-Laurens County Emergency Management. The deaths were separate incidents.
6:57 a.m.
Per the City of Chamblee:
Woodacres Road and Wentworth Drive is closed due to a fallen tree and live power lines. Residents are asked to avoid the area. A power restoration time is not yet available.
6:23 a.m.
Family of two adults and one infant were rescued after being trapped on the roof of their car along Bohler Road in Atlanta, according to fire department officials.
5:58 a.m.
Gwinnett County Police say Little Mill Road near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard is closed in both directions with power lines in the roadway.
5:51 a.m.
DeKalb County Fire Rescue says:
A large tree and wires are down at the intersection of Norman Road and Cleavemark Drive. DKFR crew is on the way.
5:28 a.m.
Per the Athens-Clarke County Police Department:
All lanes at Hull Rd. at Harve Mathis Rd. will be shut down due to lines down and power outage.
5:25 a.m.
Per the City of Roswell:
Crews are beginning to clear a tree that has fallen across Pinegrove Road near North Coleman Road.
5:09 a.m.
Lawrenceville police say a tree is down on live wires at New Hope Road near Corley Brook Way and that the road is shut down with power crews on the way.
5:01 a.m.
The storm has been officially downgraded to Tropical Storm Helene.
3:54 a.m.
Per Brookhaven Police:
“N. Druid Hills Road at Lenox Park Boulevard. Tree down on power lines and an unoccupied vehicle. All lanes blocked both directions. Standing by for Georgia Power. Avoid the area.”
3:10 a.m.
From the City of Sandy Springs:
“Residents living near the Nancy Creek are advised to evacuate to higher ground due to extreme flooding. Bridge near Windsor Parkway over Nancy Creek is closed. Detour to Peachtree Dunwoody Road to Peachtree Rd to Wieuca Rd to Roswell Road OR Peachtree Dunwoody Road NORTH to Glenridge Connector.”
2:44 a.m.
First responders are using boats to rescue residents of a flooded Buckhead apartment complex.
2:26 a.m.
Peak gusts are continuing to nose upward around metro Atlanta & east as we track Helene moving northward. Gusts are now into the 30-35 mph range in parts of the area.
2:09 a.m.
Helene has been downgraded to a Category 1 storm with winds up to 90 mph.
1:53 a.m.
A woman had to be rescued from her Griffin home after the roof collapsed on her house along Hammon Drive. She was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
1:45 a.m.
Wind gusts are now starting to pick up around metro Atlanta.
1:16 a.m.
Tree down across Oxbo Road in Roswell.
This is how Thursday night unfolded.
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