Live updates: Macon under tornado watch, state of emergency ahead of Cat 4 Hurricane Helene

Macon is expected to see severe weather as Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Florida and pushes inland through the Peach State.

The hurricane is expected to hit land late Thursday, bringing with it extremely high-speed winds and heavy rain. Macon is expected to get damaging, dangerous winds and flooding.

The National Weather Service on Wednesday put Macon under a hurricane warning, meaning hurricane-force winds are expected within 36 hours of the warning. The threat for severe weather is expected to remain until Friday.

Here’s the latest information on the storm’s impact in Middle Georgia.

Hurricane Helene now Category 4

6:30 p.m. - The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Helene has been upgraded to an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm.

Damaging wind gusts are supposed to reach well inland from the coast, the NWS said, including well into Georgia.

‘Macon is right here in the center’

6 p.m. - The Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency says Macon will be right in the center of Hurricane Helene once it gets to Middle Georgia, which will bring high-speed winds and lots of rain. Even if the storm moves, Macon will still get a lot of severe weather.

“This is a wide storm. It’s 450 miles wide, and so even a 10 mile jog from the east or west is not going to make a difference,” Emergency Management Director Spencer Hawkins said.

That weather will include 4 to 6 inches of rain in a short period of time and maximum wind gusts of up to 60 mph. Hawkins urged people to not leave things outside that could turn into flying debris, and urged residents to “please, please, please prepare now.”

Take caution with drinking water

4:15 p.m. - The Macon-Bibb County Water Authority anticipates contaminated drinking water due to local flooding.

There were no boil water advisories in effect as of 4 p.m., but the agency urged people to take precaution. People can help prevent water blockages by ensuring drains are clear of debris, according to the MWA.

“After a flood, drinking water systems may be compromised,” the agency said on Instagram Thursday afternoon. “Follow any boil water advisories issued by the Macon Water Authority to ensure the safety of your drinking water.”

People can call the MWA about flooding issues at 478-464-5600.

Cat. 3 hurricane, Macon tornado watch

3:50 p.m. - Helene was upgraded to a Category 3 hurricane shortly after Macon-Bibb County was placed under a tornado watch, according to the National Weather Service.

Macon’s tornado watch is in effect until 9 p.m.

Winds could reach up to 120 mph when the storm makes landfall in Florida Thursday afternoon.

Macon state of emergency

3:45 p.m. - Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller declared a local state of emergency because of growing wind forces.

Local emergency operations were activated under the Local Emergency Operation Plan, according to Steven Hawkins, director of the county’s Emergency Management Agency.

Long lines to get sandbags in Middle Georgia

2:45 p.m. - There were long lines to get sand bags for protection against the storm in Warner Robins, with some residents waiting over an hour. Officials at the site said the lines had been long since they started handing the bags out at 5 a.m. Warner Robins declared a state of emergency Thursday, allowing more resources to go toward helping residents deal with the storm.

Linda Thompson lives in Perry but said she came with a friend who lives in Warner Robins and was concerned her low property would flood. Thompson helped her navigate to the Public Works department to get her sandbags.

Here’s when the strongest winds will hit Macon

2:30 p.m. - Macon will likely get its strongest winds well after 8 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. The Bibb County area has been warned about potential hurricane force winds, but virtually the entire state is at risk of tropical storm winds too.

Official briefings in Macon

2 p.m. - The Bibb County Emergency Management Agency had a briefing with the National Weather Service around 1 p.m. Thursday. The county will announce local updates during a livestream on Instagram and Facebook at 2:30 p.m.

Residents were encouraged to leave comments on their social media with questions.

Grocery stores see rush of shoppers

1:20 p.m. - At a Publix off Highway 96 in Warner Robins, employees were tired and overwhelmed. The store has been packed since yesterday as people rushed to grab groceries and supplies prior to Hurricane Helene’s arrival. Lines at the checkout counters remained long as people made last minute preparations, and the shelves containing ice and bottled water were nearly empty. The guest services desk said the store plans to remain open until its usual time of 9 p.m.

What to do if tree falls on your house in Macon

12:15 p.m. - Macon officials are worried trees will fall around the city due to high winds once Hurricane Helene arrives. They’re urging residents to be aware and know what to do when a tree falls on the house, including getting away from the area of the home where the tree fell.

Read more here.

Warner Robins declares state of emergency

11:30 a.m. - The city of Warner Robins has issued a state of emergency order to help the city better respond to Hurricane Helene, which is expected to bring potentially catastrophic weather to Houston County.

“Conditions have not subsided overnight, they have only increased,” Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda W. Patrick said in a briefing on Helene on Facebook.

Read more here.

Hurricane shelters open

11:10 a.m. - Some evacuation shelters will open in Middle Georgia Thursday afternoon, but not in Macon-Bibb County.

The county would typically help open a shelter, but the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security and American Red Cross “made a decision to open elsewhere,” Chris Floore, the county chief communications officer said.

“We’re not opening shelters. That’s not a local call, that’s a GEMA call,” Floore told The Telegraph.

Monroe County will likely open shelters earlier than 4 p.m. Thursday, an official confirmed.

“They may open up earlier because ... since they posted this, they have issued Monroe County a warning for hurricane,” Ashley Palmer, the county’s administrative coordinator said.

The shelters are open to anyone, not just Monroe residents, Palmer added. They will close at 5 p.m. Friday.

Monroe evacuation shelters include:

• New Providence Baptist Church at 260 Highway 41 South, Forsyth, Ga. 31029

• Monroe County Recreation Department at 100 Dan Pitts Drive, Forsyth, Ga. 31029

• High Falls Station 2 at 42 Towaliga River Drive, Jackson, Ga. 30233

Emergency response will be limited

10:30 a.m. - First responders across the state will likely be unable to tend to emergencies once high wind speeds roll through, according to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

“Once winds reach 35 mph or higher, first responders may be unable to reach you due to dangerous conditions,” the agency said on Instagram.

Macon isn’t expected to see these speeds until around 3 a.m. Friday, forecasters say. Current wind speeds are less than 10 mph in Macon-Bibb County.

Tornado watch issued for part of Georgia

9:10 a.m. - The National Weather Service says the eastern-most part of Georgia is under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. Thursday. Forecasters have repeatedly warned that those on the eastern side of the Hurricane Helene storm eye could be susceptible to tornadoes.

Checking flood zone areas

8:40 a.m. - Unsure if you’re in a flood zone? The hurricane is coupled with additional rain that has hit much of Georgia since Wednesday, leading to additional flood concerns. Here’s how to find out what your flood risk is.

Helene reaches Category 2 strength

8:20 a.m. - Weather officials indicate Hurricane Helene has strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane, meaning it has sustained winds of 100 mph or greater. Officials announced Wednesday they expect the storm to eventually reach Category 4 status.

See school, office closings for Middle Georgia

7:55 a.m. - Want to see the latest on school and office closings in Middle Georgia? We’ve got updates here, and we’ll update with more information as it becomes available.

Tornado warning possible?

7:10 a.m. - The National Weather Service says there’s a slim chance for a tornado to pop up near Macon.

“We’re keeping an eye on rotating showers to the south and east of Macon this morning,” the NWS said in a social media post early Thursday morning. “A low-end (2%) chance for a short-lived tornado has been identified by the SPC, and we cannot rule out another Tornado Warning before the morning is over.”

Macon faces ‘slight’ flood risk

6:30 a.m. - The National Weather Service said late Wednesday that there is a flood risk across all of the state for extending into Thursday morning, but Macon is among the areas facing a slight risk. The rest of Middle Georgia falls in the same category. A large share of the state north of Macon faces a “moderate” risk, while a portion of northeast Georgia faces the greatest risk for flash flooding.

Latest Hurricane Helene forecast for Macon

5:30 a.m. - Middle Georgia expects to get rain and a possible thunderstorm before the effects of Helene are felt Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Once the storm arrives Thursday night, hurricane force winds and heavy rain are possible, which is why Bibb County was placed under a hurricane warning Wednesday. The chance of rain is 100%, according to the NWS.