EVANSVILLE – The Evansville area could see damaging wind gusts as the effects and remnants of now-Tropical Storm Helene continue to churn through the area.
In its latest update Friday morning, the National Weather Service expects wind gusts of 46 mph in Evansville. However, with the storm moving a little faster than previously expected, there’s a slight chance those could ramp as high as 65 mph during daylight hours on Friday.
Helene is blanketing the area in rain, as well. Here’s what forecasters are saying.
How bad could the winds get in the Evansville area?
In an email to media, NWS meteorologist Justin Gibbs said the wind will likely peak this afternoon. He predicted gales as fast as 45 to 55 mph. The latest NWS packet, however, said conditions could “evolve” – or devolve, depending how you look at it – to allow winds as strong as 65 mph in certain parts of the Tri-State, including Evansville.
The strongest winds would likely sweep through between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
“With the ground slowly saturating from rainfall, there is a risk of some trees uprooting and powerline damage,” Gibbs said.
What’s the latest rain forecast for Evansville and Henderson?
Forecasters moved Evansville and Henderson, Kentucky in the 4-to-5-inch range Thursday evening. By Friday morning, they’d dialed that back a bit to 3-4 inches. However, localized heavy downfalls could jet us higher. Places such as Madisonville and Murray, Kentucky, could get as much as 6 inches of rain.
Most of Southwestern Indiana, all of Western Kentucky and parts of Southern Illinois and Missouri are under a flood watch. Our previous drought could save us from the worst of it, “but we will need to remain alert,” Gibbs said.
EVSC cancels after-school activities, including football games
Facing a 95% chance of rain and abnormally strong winds, the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. announced Friday morning that all after-school activities, including Friday’s slate of football games, are canceled.
“Games will be rescheduled for (Saturday),” a text to parents and staff stated. “Start times will be announced as soon as details are finalized.”
When will the rain and wind move out out of Evansville?
The winds should start slowing around 6 p.m. Friday. The rain, however, will stick around all weekend.
Evansville will still have an 80% chance of rain Saturday, with possible precipitation extending well into Sunday. Widespread rain won’t dissipate until Monday, and even then slight chances remain.
How bad is Helene in the south?
As of Friday morning, Helene had weakened into a tropical storm after crashing through Florida and Georgia. According to USA Today, the storm had killed at least six people and left more than 4 million without power throughout Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. NBC News reported the outages in some places could last weeks.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Tropical Storm Helene: Evansville could see dangerous wind Friday
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