MACON, Ga. — Hurricane Helene is quickly approaching. The storm is currently expected to hit Central Georgia sometime Thursday afternoon.
13WMAZ will update this story as local state of emergencies are announced and shelters open up ahead of the storm, and various floods and large scale power outages during the storm. For information on school closings, check here:
Hurricane Helene Updates
6:27 p.m. - The National Hurricane Center has given an update that shows Helene has strengthened to a Category 4 storm.
6:24 p.m. - Comcast announced they're opening their network of Xfinity WiFi hotspots in Georgia and South Carolina on Friday, Sept. 27. They said these are free to use and anyone, including non-Xfinity customers, can use it. You can use the WiFi Hotspot Map here and search for your zip code.
6:00 p.m. - Houston County Emergency Management Agency created a post providing updates on road closures, major outages, hazardous areas and weather updates. You can find the post here.
5:09 p.m. - Cochran Mayor Billy Yeomans declared state of emergency for the city due to the weather conditions. There was also a curfew period instituted starting at 8 p.m. on Sept. 26 running through 8 a.m. on Sept. 27. Yeomans added that city hall will be closed on Friday.
5:00 p.m. - Macon-Bibb County issued a statement noting that trash and recycling pick up will be delayed on Friday due to Hurricane Helene. They ask that trash bins should be put on the curb "early Friday morning once the storm has passed, NOT Thursday night." They ask the public to be patient as crews navigate any potential hazards on the roads.
4:30 p.m. - GEMA shared these photos of flooding due to storms related to Hurricane Helene that have moved through Dodge County.
4:20 p.m. - Gov. Brian Kemp encourages drivers to stay off the roads if they can, calling Hurricane Helene "one of the biggest storms this state has experienced in recent history."
2:47 p.m. - Mayor Lester Miller issued a local state emergency for Macon-Bibb County. All counties from Macon-Bibb County through southeast Central Georgia are under a tornado watch
2:40 p.m. - The National Hurricane Center has given an update that shows Helene has strengthened to a Category 3 storm.
2:39 p.m. - Mayor Vickie Horne sets up city of McIntyre curfew. Starts at 10 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26 and ends at 8 a.m.. on Friday, Sept. 27
2:20 p.m. - Chairman Martin H Moseley Jr. issued a local state of emergency in Peach County. Extra deputies are on duty, as Moseley asked for everyone to stay home during the storm.
2:13 p.m. - State Court of Bibb County announced that they will not have criminal arraignments on Friday, Sept. 27. New dates will be mailed to those that had previous court dates on Friday.
1:16 p.m. - Rigby's Entertainment Complex offers a safe space for those who don't feel safe in their homes.
1:11 p.m. - Baldwin County Manager Carlos Tobar said they are planning on opening a storm shelter at 200 Southside Drive at the old Southside Elementary School building in Milledgeville.
12:03 p.m. - Georgia Power makes announcement that more than 10,000 personnel are on the ground throughout the state
11:45 a.m. - The Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security now recommends all schools in the state close for tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 27
11:18 a.m. - Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin announced its Albany, Brunswick, Macon, Milledgeville, Perry, Tifton and Warner Robins clinics are closed on Thursday due to the incoming Hurricane
11:10 a.m. - Delta issues travel waiver for customers affected by Hurricane Helene. Read more here.
11:03 a.m. - Macon-Bibb Transit Authority releases updates to bus services. Last bus will leave at 5:25 p.m. on Thursday, all busses will complete services by 7 p.m. this evening. Bus services will be delayed until 7:25 a.m. on Friday, but will resume Fixed Route and Paratransit bus service from that point onward.
11:03 a.m. - President Joe Biden declared that an emergency exists in the State of Georgia and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Helene.
8:10 a.m. - Homeless Shelter at No Limit Baptist Church on 1352 Radio Loop in Warner Robins set to open up around 6 p.m. on Thursday. Brian Wise with the church will round up people from the homeless population and encouraged people to call him at 478-538-5115 or Pastor Herrington at 786-286-4457.
8:06 a.m. - Flooding reported on State Route 30 on both sides of the road on Ashley Street in Wilcox County, according to 511 GDOT.
8:03 a.m. - Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick declares local state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Helene. The declaration becomes effective as of 12 p.m.
7:48 a.m. - Flooding reported on State Route 117 Northbound on Mullis Road in Laurens County, according to 511 Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
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