Tracking Helene: Brad Panovich 8:45 a.m. update

Hurricane Helene made landfall around 11:10 p.m. Thursday about 10 miles east of Perry, Florida, as a Category 4 major hurricane with sustained winds at 140 mph. Chief Meteorlogist Brad Panovich has the latest update on Helene's location and impacts for the Charlotte area.

Helene was downgraded to a tropical storm at 5 a.m. Friday, but the impacts will remain significant for the Carolinas with heavy rain, damaging winds and life-threatening flooding in many areas.

A Tornado Watch is in place through 6 p.m. for portions of the Charlotte area. This includes Chesterfield, Lancaster, Chester, Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Union (NC), Richmond and Mecklenburg counties.

Impacts from Helene become more intense as Friday morning progresses. The flash flooding risk, severe storms and high winds through at least midday Friday before conditions slowly improve.

Tropical Storm Watches and warnings are in place, including most of our viewing area. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Mecklenburg, Union, York, Chester, Gaston, Lincoln, Catawba, Cleveland, Burke, Caldwell and Avery counties. Impacted cities and towns include Banner Elk, Shelby, Lenoir, Morganton, Hickory, Newton, Gastonia, Charlotte, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Chester, Lincolnton, Monroe, Huntersville, Matthews, and Cheraw. #Weather #Hurricane #Helene