How forecasters warned about the flooding.(CNN NEWS)_
Some of Helene’s deadliest, most catastrophic flooding unfolded in western North Carolina. Here’s what meteorologists at the National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, warned last week leading up to Friday’s devastation.
Monday
3 a.m. ET: Helene hasn’t formed but the weather service warns the main impacts to the western Carolinas once the system reaches the area will be “heavy rainfall and some gusty winds.”
2 p.m. ET: The weather service discusses a possible scenario in which “potentially significant rainfall” could occur.
Tuesday
3 a.m. ET: The weather service first mentions the possibility of a heavy rain event on Wednesday, which could set up the area for worse impacts from Helene later in the week. They also note “at least isolated flash flooding (is) becoming likely,” from Helene – which still hasn’t formed – and rainfall totals could approach a foot in the mountains.
What’s happening: Tropical Storm Helene forms in the northwestern Caribbean Sea in the late morning.
6 p.m. ET: “This has the potential to be an extremely rare event,” the weather service warns.
How forecasters warned about the flooding.(CNN NEWS)_
Wednesday
3 a.m. ET: Over the next 48 hours, a “major rainfall event for the southern Appalachians and vicinity with potential for widespread flash flooding” will occur, according to the weather service. “Locally severe and life-threatening flooding (is) likely” as up to 15 inches of rain fall into Friday morning, the weather service warns.
What’s happening: Helene rapidly intensifies into a hurricane in the southern Gulf of Mexico in the late morning.
2 p.m. ET: “The system will produce very rare and significant (amounts) of rainfall” with isolated areas in the mountains and nearby areas seeing “catastrophic and damaging flooding,” the weather service said.
What’s happening: Heavy rain falls ahead of Helene from early Wednesday evening through Wednesday night.
6 p.m. ET: The weather service issues a dire warning: “This has the potential to be an extremely rare event with catastrophic flash flooding that hasn’t been seen in the modern era.”
How forecasters warned about the flooding.(CNN NEWS)_
Thursday
What’s happening: The weather service continues to warn of a historic event throughout the day as Helene rapidly intensifies in the Gulf.
5 p.m. ET: The weather service first mentions flooding rainfall may prompt flash flood emergencies in the coming hours. Concern is also noted reservoirs are running high and “there could be breaching problems” if enough water isn’t released before Helene’s worst rain arrives.
What’s happening: Heavy rain is drenching the Southeast as Helene makes landfall as a Category 4 hurricane before midnight in Florida.
Friday
What’s happening: The first flash flood emergency is issued for western North Carolina at 5:30 a.m. ET. Life-threatening flooding unfolds throughout the day. More than 30 flash flood emergencies are issued by the end of the event across five states.
