Preparing for Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene

Image source: NOAA.gov

The International Code Council is monitoring Hurricane Helene as it continues to track northward through the Gulf of Mexico this week. Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall on the Florida Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane during the evening of Thursday, September 26. After substantial weakening, Helene is forecast to pass through Alabama and Georgia on Friday, September 27, and then north to South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and the Midwest by the weekend.

Preparing for the Storm

Tropical storm force winds from Hurricane Helene may extend upward to 111-129  miles out from the center of the storm. The risk of impact from life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds will continue to increase along the Florida Panhandle and the Florida West Coast. Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Expect flash flooding and urban flooding across portions of Florida.

Many trees could be snapped or uprooted, potentially blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water may be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes. The possibility exists for isolated flash flooding and urban flooding across the Southeastern U.S., including the Appalachians and the Tennessee Valley through Friday. If you live in the forecast area, it’s important to prepare now:

  • Check/replace emergency supplies and store bottled drinking water.
  • Review evacuation plans.
  • Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy.
  • Clean storm gutters and drains.
  • Prepare your home for high winds and rain.
  • Repair/replace storm shutters.
  • Check your property insurance policy for appropriate coverage.

For the latest forecast and additional safety information, please visit the National Hurricane Center and the Code Council’s hurricane safety and resources page.

Resources for the state of Florida can be found here: Tropical Storm Helene | Florida Disaster.

If you need assistance, please reach out to us through your regional Government Relations representative.

Disaster Recovery Resource for Building Safety Professionals

When disasters strike, codes and standards serve as a baseline for the return to safe, sanitary, and habitable buildings. Code officials and their floodplain management counterparts rely on support from emergency managers and community leaders to help secure the critical resources needed to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community. To that end, FEMA has a disaster recovery policy specifically aimed at providing much-needed assistance for code officials and floodplain managers during disaster response and initial recovery for up to 180 days following a major disaster declaration.

Learn how to apply for building code administration and enforcement assistance here. This policy, administered under FEMA’s program, offers reimbursement for critical community functions such as building code administration, code enforcement, floodplain management administration and enforcement, and conducting substantial damage survey inspections in affected communities.

For more information, visit the Code Council’s resource page.

Download FEMA's DRRA 1206 resource here.