As Georgia braces for Hurricane Helene, some in Northeast Georgia got an early preview. They’re still trying to calm their nerves from the tornado threat that swept through central Habersham and southwest Rabun counties on Wednesday.
Now Habersham obtained video of a potential funnel cloud that was taken in Baldwin at the height of Wednesday’s storm.
Hannah Tanksley, who lives in Turnerville had “never been so nervous” as she saw the cloud spinning. “I’m so thankful no one was hurt. Praying this is over soon and we all stay safe.”
For many in its path, hail, high winds, and heavy rainfall came suddenly, leaving 5 or more inches of rain in some locations.
Beth Propes Suggs, who lives in northern Habersham, posted on social media that the area “had 4.9 inches of rain yesterday and 4.7 already overnight, so close to 10 inches already.”
According to the National Weather Service, there is more rain to come as Hurricane Helene takes landfall along the Florida coast before moving inland.
Josh Benton and his family were in the path of the tornadic cell as it passed over Turnerville. Benton described “dime to quarter-size hail for a few minutes, and the ground-level storm wind turned the area that eerie dark sea green.” Benton, who “has never experienced something quite like the storm in his life,” said numerous trees had snapped in half or taken to the ground.
Several hundred people in Benton’s area lost power. He regained power at 2 a.m. “Thanks goes out to the Habersham Road Department, which surveyed the area immediately and cleared the roadway of downed trees.”
That was but a precursor of what’s to come, as Hurricane Helene is shaping up to be one of the most damaging storms in recent memory.
Florida view
Now Habersham contacted several coastal Florida residents ahead of Helene’s expected landfall on Thursday. We wanted to find out how they’re preparing for the monster storm and get a glimpse at what they are seeing.
David Hansel lives in Panama City, Florida. He is no stranger to hurricanes or tropical storms and knows the importance of preparation. David is an artist, and his wife and business partner Amanda is a photographer. Hansel believes most of the storm will be to the east but they will still experience the heavy rains and wind.
“Many residents are experiencing PTSD from Hurricane Michael in 2018, which devasted the area. Mexico Beach was the landfall of the eye of Michael,” David explained.
Jeffim Kuznetsoff lives in Miami.
“We dodged the bullet this time. So, I’m not really worried,” Kuznetsoff told Now Habersham.
South Florida experienced powerful wind gusts and rain Wednesday night, but by Thursday morning, Kuznetsoff said the weather had calmed down. He said everything was operational in Miami on Thursday afternoon, though he was keeping a close eye on the storm’s outer bands.
Similar to the fear that rattled so many in northern Georgia on Wednesday, the anxiety building in Florida is real. Hansel knows there will be a lot to do once the storm passes, and having experienced Michael firsthand and its damage, he says he and Amanda are ready to help anyone in need.
