BULLETIN: 9:15pm Helene Update

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Rare "extreme wind warning" issued.

Radar at 8:57 shows the position of Helene. I've drawn a "donut" around the eyewall. 
The highest winds are within the "donut" with the very highest winds in the northeast quarter. We are within an hour of the eyewall getting to land. Gusts will be at least 150 mph in this very dangerous storm. 

At 9:07pm, Doppler radar measured a 160 mph wind at about 5,000 feet above sea level. With all of the lightning, I'm very worried this is mixing down toward the ground. This is similar wind to a "strong" tornado.

Storm surge will now be flooding into the coast in many areas. Helene went over a NOAA ocean buoy and it recorded 26' waves. Those will be part of the storm surge. 

Another tornado watch was just issued until 8 am. 


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