CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – Helene was close to making landfall as a major hurricane on Florida’s Gulf Coast Thursday evening.

Hurricane Helene was expected to make landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane around 11 p.m. on Thursday, September 26th. The WBTV weather team will be reporting live as soon as landfall occurs – you can watch it live in the video player above.

According to our First Alert meteorologists, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes were possible in the Carolinas Thursday evening as Helene made landfall. The Category 4 hurricane is expected to bring strong winds, rain and storm surge to the Gulf Coast.

The storm will then move north and is expected to hit the Carolinas on Friday morning. Helene will likely bring heavy rain and gusty winds to the Charlotte area on Friday, according to our First Alert meteorologists.

WBTV meteorologist Rachel Coulter says: Catastrophic flash flooding and the possibility of landslides in our mountain and foothill communities are a major concern, and there is a rare high risk of excessive rainfall. There will likely be widespread flash flooding as far east as Charlotte, with isolated flash flooding occurring in our eastern counties.

Wind gusts could reach speeds of 50 to 60 miles per hour, downing trees and causing numerous to widespread power outages. The strongest winds are expected locally Friday morning and a tropical storm warning is in effect for much of the area, including the Charlotte metro.

Click here for the full forecast.

Video forecast: Update on Thursday, 9 p.m

Watch our meteorologists’ update on Hurricane Helene below as of Thursday, September 26 at 9 p.m.

Tornado warning issued for the Charlotte area

The greater Charlotte area was under a tornado watch from Thursday evening into Friday morning amid the storm. The following counties in North and South Carolina were under a tornado watch until 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27:

• Anson
• Cabarrus
• Chester (South Carolina)
• Chesterfield, South Carolina
• Gaston
• Lancaster (South Carolina)
• Mecklenburg
• Union (North Carolina)
• Union (South Carolina)
• Richmond
• York (South Carolina)

Difference Between Tornado Watches and Warnings

A Tornado watch is issued when a tornado is possible in and near the monitored area. When a watch is in place, the NWS urges affected people to discuss emergency plans, ensure there are enough supplies, and be prepared to act quickly if a tornado approaches.

A Tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been seen or indicated by a weather radar. When a tornado warning is active, there is “immediate danger to life and property,” the NWS says.

A Tornado emergency is the most severe tornado warning. A tornado emergency alert is issued when a violent tornado has touched down in an area – where there is a “significant threat to life and property and catastrophic damage has been confirmed.”

Find all active alerts for the greater Charlotte area here.

What to do if a tornado is approaching?

If a tornado warning is issued, people are urged to move indoors on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, avoiding all windows. Anyone in an RV, vehicle or outdoors should “go to the nearest safe shelter and protect themselves from flying debris,” the NWS said.

If you see a tornado approaching, you should not try to escape it in a vehicle.

“Sitting in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe,” the NWS website states. “The best course of action is to drive to the nearest shelter. If you cannot make it to a safe shelter, either get into your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low area such as a ditch or ravine.”

The NWS encourages people to listen to local news or a NOAA weather radio to stay up to date on tornado watches and warnings.

“Several rounds of thunderstorms are possible during severe weather outbreaks, which can lead to tornadoes,” the NWS said.

Additional active weather warnings for the Charlotte region

Additional weather concerns were observed in the Charlotte area as Helene prepared to land. The storm’s impact was expected to bring hazards such as flooding to the area.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect across the Charlotte region through Friday afternoon.

Flood watches and warnings were issued for several counties over the weekend.

Click here to view active and inactive weather alerts for the region.

Here you can find our current weather forecasts online. Follow our latest coverage of the WBTV weather app.

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