Tropical Storm — Lincoln, Georgia

2024-09-27 · Lincoln, Georgia

Event narrative

Widespread trees and power lines down throughout the county leading to many closed roads. Large sections of the county lost power for extended period of time. Falling trees and wind caused substantial structural damage across the county. At least 207 homes sustained some level of damage including 16 destroyed and 79 with major damage. NWS storm survey estimated that maximum wind gusts around 80-100 mph. A man was killed when a tree fell on his home. Areas of flooding with 2 day rainfall from a COOP observer in Lincolnton of 7.20 inches.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Helene formed in the NW Caribbean Sea on September 24. Helene moved northward into the Gulf of Mexico where it strengthened into a hurricane on September 25. Helene made landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend area of Florida the night of September 26 before quickly moving inland into east central Georgia by early morning on September 27. Helene weakened to a strong tropical storm and produced widespread significant wind damage, including wind gusts above 100 mph across east central Georgia and central South Carolina as well as numerous tornadoes. Numerous fatalities and injuries were reported associated with the passage of Helene.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1209157. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.