EVANSVILLE – The Evansville area could see damaging wind gusts as the effects and remnants of now-Tropical Storm Helene continue to churn through the area .
In its latest update Friday morning, the National Weather Service expects wind gusts of 46 mph in Evansville. However, with the storm moving a little faster than previously expected, there’s a slight chance those could ramp as high as 65 mph during daylight hours on Friday.
Helene is blanketing the area in rain, as well. Here’s what forecasters are saying.
How bad could the winds get in the Evansville area?
In an email to media, NWS meteorologist Justin Gibbs said the wind will likely peak this afternoon. He predicted gales as fast as 45 to 55 mph. The latest NWS packet, however, said conditions could “evolve” – or devolve, depending how you look at it – to allow winds as strong as 65 mph in certain parts of the Tri-State, including Evansville.
The strongest winds would likely sweep through between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
“With the ground slowly saturating from rainfall, there is a risk of some trees uprooting and powerline damage,” Gibbs said.