early warnings more widely spread could have saved lives

ERN NEWS WARNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY FLOODING IN N. CAROLINA AND THE GENERAL AREA BEFORE MOST OTHER NEWS SOURCES. These warnings started on Wednesday of the week of the storm when there was still time to evacuate low lying areas.

KEY MESSAGES: (from the NHC)

1. Historic, catastrophic and life-threatening flash and urban
flooding, including numerous significant landslides, will continue
across portions of the Southern Appalachians through this evening.
Widespread significant river flooding is ongoing, some of which will
be major to record breaking.

2. Damaging wind gusts will continue over portions of Georgia, the
Carolinas, Tennessee, and Kentucky today, particularly over the
higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.

3. There is a possibility of long-duration power outages in
portions of the southeast U.S.  If you use a generator after the
storm, be sure it is placed outside at least 20 feet away from
doors, windows, and garages to avoid deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning.

From the Washington Post: 

Midday on Thursday, the National Weather Service office serving western North Carolina, including Asheville, shared an “urgent message” stating that the unfolding rainstorm “will be one of the most significant weather events to happen in the western portions of the area in the modern era.”

Up to a foot of rain had already produced flooding in the region; Asheville, N.C. had received more than 8 inches, a two-day record. And another 4 to 15 inches are possible as Helene comes through, with the greatest amounts in the windward-facing high terrain.

The Weather Service office said flooding could be worse than several past storms, including Tropical Storm Fred in 2021 and the remnants of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan in 2004. In Asheville, it said, the flooding could be comparable to the flood of 1916, which killed 80 people.

ERN NEWS: Atlanta, far inland from here Helene is predicted to make landfall, is expected to get winds above 65 mph Friday with higher gusts. Though the NHC is just sounding the alarm, if the storm stalls as forecast over eastern Tennessee, serious flooding including flash floods could occur. Residents of the area need to be prepared, which means leaving houses and businesses along low lying, threatened areas and not driving in the same areas once the storm is present.

EDITOR'S POST EVENT COMMENT: The overriding problem was not enough people received these and other warnings or failed to respond if they did. One resident near Chimney Rock, NC, said the river was nine feet above flood stage before the rains from Helene arrived. Everyone should have known, especially people who live near the creeks and rivers that are located at the base of surrounding mountains. Something is seriously wrong with the notification system. The NHC says residents should follow the advice of local officials. What if those officials don't receive adequate information in time?