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ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Tropical Storm Helene is strengthening as it churns toward the Gulf of Mexico. Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a state of emergency in Georgia ahead of the storm, which is expected to hit metro Atlanta late Thursday and early Friday.

The state of emergency is in effect from now until Oct. 2 at midnight, according to the order. It allows several government departments to deploy resources to the areas impacted by the storm.

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Currently a tropical storm, Helene is expected to make landfall in north Florida as a Category 3 hurricane on Thursday afternoon. By the time it passes over metro Atlanta, meteorologists believe it will be a tropical storm, bringing heavy rains, flooding and power outages.

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North Georgia hasn’t seen a tropical storm since 2020 when Zeta brought winds up to 60 mph and up to four inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

Check back with Atlanta News First for coverage on Helene.

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