Hurricane Helene could bring historic flooding to Tennessee
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Heavy rain and strong winds are expected in the Nashville area as the remnants of Hurricane Helene move inland, but the most significant danger will be concentrated to our east.
Why it matters: "A fairly historic situation is about to unfold across the southern Appalachian region," an East Tennessee forecaster wrote Thursday afternoon.
State of play: Davidson County could see up to 6 inches of rainfall from Thursday through Saturday, according to a National Weather Service estimate. A flood watch is in effect through Saturday morning.
- Some localized flash flooding and downed trees are possible, according to the NWS. But the Cumberland River is expected to stay below flood stage.
- In Nashville, at least, the surge of rain could be "beneficial," according to the NWS. But conditions are far more dire in East Tennessee and into North Carolina.
Threat level: An "immense amount" of rain is expected in East Tennessee, with even higher totals expected on the other side of the border in North Carolina.
- Flooding has already begun in some parts of that area, with an additional glut of rain on the way.
- That could lead to near-record flooding for some East Tennessee rivers. Life-threatening flash floods are possible throughout that part of the state.
Zoom in: While wind strength in Nashville is expected to be about 30-35 mph Friday, East Tennessee could see much more powerful gusts, between 55 mph and 65 mph.
- Widespread power outages are possible.
The big picture: Helene's impact could be brutal throughout the Southeast, with the potential for hurricane-force winds in Atlanta, tornado threats in Charlotte, North Carolina, and historic rainfall for Asheville and other beloved Appalachian Mountain destinations.
Go deeper: Read our regional coverage of Helene and its treacherous path