South Georgia residents are preparing for severe weather as Hurricane Helene nears landfall, expected to reach the region with Category 3 intensity. The National Hurricane Center has confirmed that the storm will make landfall along Florida’s Big Bend Coast on Thursday evening before moving rapidly northward, affecting a large portion of South Georgia.

Governor Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency for the entire region, lasting until October 2nd, as forecasters warn of life-threatening conditions. Helene, a massive storm with a reach of 400 miles, is expected to bring hurricane-force winds between 74 and 110 mph, heavy rainfall, and isolated tornadoes. The storm’s hazards are predicted to impact the area from this afternoon through tomorrow morning.

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for all counties in South Georgia. Severe impacts include strong winds, flash flooding, and significant river flooding, particularly along smaller streams. Rainfall totals are expected to reach 6 to 8 inches, with some areas seeing even higher amounts. Widespread thunderstorms are predicted early this morning, with the most dangerous conditions arriving in the late afternoon and continuing into the night. Flood watches are in place for all counties until Friday afternoon.

Residents are urged to complete their storm preparations as quickly as possible, if they have not already, with officials warning that Hurricane Helene could be one of the most catastrophic events in the region’s history. The combination of the storm’s size, speed, and intensity poses significant danger, and all precautions should be taken to ensure safety.

The window for impact is expected from 5 p.m. today to 5 a.m. tomorrow, with emergency services on high alert to respond to the storm’s aftermath.