Tropical Storm Helene brings more wet weather to DC area as it moves north

Tropical Storm Helene will continue its way north toward the D.C. region, bringing tropical rain and potential flooding Friday. Here’s what you need to know.

7News First Alert Chief Meteorologist Veronica Johnson said as the storms grows in strength and moves north, there will be larger risk of inland flooding and heavy winds that could knock down trees or electricity poles in the D.C. area.

Johnsons said this is “the strongest hurricane since Ian back in 2022” as Helene was upgraded to a category four hurricane on Thursday night. Winds were reaching 140 miles per hours, with gusts at 160 mph, when the hurricane first made landfall in the Florida Big Bend region late Thursday night

Helene was downgraded to a tropical storm Friday morning as it rapidly moved north, through southern Georgia, before blowing inland around 5 a.m. The National Hurricane Center said winds could top 110 miles per hour as the storm moves over Appalachian areas.

In the D.C. area, scattered showers Friday morning will increase through the afternoon and turn into some isolated thunderstorms as Helene passes by. 7News First Alert Meteorologist Mark Peña says rainfall totals could reach 1.5 inches or higher.

“We’ve got areas of rain with even rumbles of thunder in the forecast throughout much of the afternoon and evening,” Peña said. “And this is thanks to the outer edges of Helene that will start to move through central and northern Virginia, starting to clip areas of the DMV later this afternoon.”

Areas of western and central Virginia are under a flood watch through Friday evening by the National Weather Service, as excessive runoff from bodies of water could flood lowers areas with poor drainage. The weather service has also issued coastal flood warnings in effect on Friday for D.C., Arlington, central Virginia and Charles County, Maryland.

A very active weather day ahead with moderate/heavy rainfall possible across the area. This also carries a risk of an isolated tornado well south of I-66. There is a risk of flash flooding near and west of the Blue Ridge. The higher elevations may see wind gusts up to 50-55 mph. pic.twitter.com/7L1L2LfZrS

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) Sept. 27, 2024

To help with the response to the tropical storm, search and rescue teams from Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland have been sent down to help.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency Wednesday evening “in anticipation of impacts from Hurricane Helene later this week,” his office wrote in a release.

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Youngkin said Virginians should still “remain vigilant” and keep an eye out for larger weather impacts, as storm forecasts can change rapidly.

“As high winds and heavy rains are predicted for parts of Virginia, we urge everyone to stay informed through trusted resources and follow the direction of your local officials,” Youngkin said.

The state of emergency allows Virginia “to mobilize resources and equipment needed for response and recovery efforts,” according to the governor’s office.

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