Tennessee

WataugaOnline updates on Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene

Eira Gwyneth September 26, 2024

Last updated on September 25, 2024, 20:15

WataugaOnline.com is providing information on the potential impacts of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene on Western North Carolina. Information will be updated as it becomes available. and necessary.

A list of flood prone areas in Watauga County can be found at this link.

Flood warning in effect through Thursday evening, including Watauga, Ashe and Wilkes. More details at this link.

Flood warning in effect until Friday afternoon, including Avery County. More details at this link.

*Note – this has now been changed to a Tropical Storm Warning. See this link for more details.* Tropical Storm Warning for Avery County – September 25, 2024. See this link for more details.

Local Warning #9 for Hurricane Helene. For more information, see this link.

Local Alert #10 for Hurricane Helene. For more information, see this link.

Wednesday, September 25 Updates

Birch Street in Blowing Rock tonight. Photo submitted. @NWSBlacksburg @wxbrad pic.twitter.com/T6NBdHZM9N

— WataugaOnline (@WataugaOnline) 25 September 2024

Funnel cloud captured this evening in the parking lot of the Food Lion in Blowing Rock. Video: Tyler Penland @wxbrad @NWSBlacksburg pic.twitter.com/wW6dYpMNE4

— WataugaOnline (@WataugaOnline) 25 September 2024

North Carolina National Forests announce closures of recreation areas and roads ahead of Hurricane Helene. More information at this link.

Watauga County Schools – Due to the projected path of Hurricane Helene and to give families an opportunity to prepare for the inclement weather ahead, Watauga County Schools will close early tomorrow, Thursday, September 26. K-8 schools will close at noon and WHS/WIA will close at 1 p.m.

The holiday/snow day program and the afternoon program will not take place tomorrow.

The The weather team will continue to monitor the storm’s progress and if there are any changes to this decision, we will let you know by 6:00 a.m.

The Avery County School System will be CLOSED tomorrow, Thursday, September 26th and Friday, September 27th due to heavy rains and winds forecast for our area. Tomorrow and Friday is an OPTIONAL TEACHER WORK DAY.

Governor Roy Cooper declares a state of emergency. More details at this link.

Blue Ridge Parkway is initiating preventative, temporary closures along the southern portion of the route. For more details, see this link.

Blue Ridge Energy advises its members to be prepared for Hurricane Helene. For more information, click this link.

1:14 p.m. – A message from Watauga County Schools: “As you are likely aware, Hurricane Helene may bring severe weather to our district this week. We want to let you know that we are aware of this and are working closely with outside agencies as well as our team to determine if any adjustments to school operations are necessary later this week. Once a decision is made, we will be sure to share the information so you can make plans for the remainder of the week if needed.”

VLog Update by Brad Panovich

Graphic: National Weather Service Blacksburg