By james art 
(WGHP) — Helena brought with it major severe weather conditions as her bands crossed North Carolina.
As of 5 p.m. Friday, Helena was about 50 miles south-southeast of Louisville, Kentucky, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm, now a post-tropical cyclone, has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph with possible gusts higher than that and is moving north-northwest at 17 mph.
The NHC reports, “Historic, catastrophic, and life-threatening flash and urban flooding, including multiple large mudslides, will continue across parts of the southern Appalachians this evening, followed by a gradual improvement this evening and into Saturday. Widespread severe river flooding continues, some of which will be major and record breaking.”
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Flooding and damage
One person was killed Friday morning in Yadkin County when a tree fell on their car while they were drivingthe North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed. A 2006 Nissan passenger car was traveling east on Old US 421 around 8:15 a.m. when a large oak tree fell from the west shoulder of the road, landing on top of the Nissan.
Video from Wilkes County shows water flooding over normally dry land land in Cub Creek Park.
Wilkes County Emergency Services are now operating, but earlier in the day The Wilkes County Emergency Center lost its primary operationsforcing officials to reroute calls to Ashe County.
thursday night Wilkes Rescue Squad responded to a scene on Reddies Streetoff Dixie Hill Road, in the community of Millers Creek. No one was hurt. Wilkes Rescue Squad Chief David Wyatt says it was a great team effort with a great result.
In Surrey County, video captured a glimpse of massive floods covering certain areas. County officials are asking anyone in Surry County whose home was damaged by the storm to call the Surry County Office of Permits and Inspections at (336) 401-8300 and alert residents to make sure any contractors hired for repair, are legally licensed to do so.
Greensboro police said that between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m., officers responded to 16 reports of downed trees and nine incidents. Four alerts were also issued, one roadside assistance alert and one flood alert.
Fallen trees were reported Randleman Road and Interstate 73, near I-840in Greensboro.
The Alamance County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for help from Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard on Friday. According to ACSO, Yancey County is dealing with washed out roads and flooded areas, making it difficult to help residents. ACSO sent a team of four helpers in the Bearcat armored vehicle to help.
Forecast for North Carolina
Heavy rainfall lashed western North Carolina with multiple storms bringing more than a foot of rain to the region.
The Piedmont Triad saw its worst weather mid-morning Friday with gusts over 40 mph and more locally heavy rainfall, according to FOX8 Chief Meteorologist Van Denton. Most had 1 to 2 inches from Helene overnight into today, with a few pockets seeing more.
Rainfall totals over the past few days have generally increased to 2 to 4 inches in the Triad, with several locations exceeding 6 inches. Counties west of us fared worse, with the foothills getting nearly half a foot and the mountains getting more than a foot.
As Helena continues to move toward Tennessee and then Kentucky, the storm is weakening and the weather will improve.
“The skies will clear for us tonight and the night will be mostly clear with a low near 62,” Denton said.
According to forecasters, the main danger is heavy rains.
Gusty winds may cause damage over parts of Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Kentucky, especially over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.
Heavy rain, gusty winds and potential isolated tornadoes could make travel dangerous. Widespread power outages are also a problem with these rain bands.
As can be seen in the image below, the highest flood risks from Helene are in western North Carolina with large changes of at least 70% across the region.
A chance for tornadoes remains Friday morning through afternoon in the Carolinas. A tornado threat also exists in eastern Georgia and southern Virginia.
By midday, winds will begin to ease and the rain will become lighter and more scattered. By this afternoon we will have some sunshine with highs near 80°. It will be partly cloudy overnight with a low around 60 degrees.
what’s next
Saturday will be fine with sunny to partly cloudy skies. Highs near 80. There is a slight 15% chance of rain. Saturday night, partly cloudy and around 65. Sunday will be fair, partly cloudy with a 35% chance of showers or thunderstorms, highs near 80.
At the beginning of next week, the weather will continue to improve. Monday will be partly sunny with a high around 79, with a 20% chance of showers. Tuesday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Wednesday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Lows remain in the mid 60s.
From Thursday, a turn to cooler nights begins. Sunny both Thursday and Friday with highs in the low 70s and upper 50s, around 40 in rural areas.
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