We had heavy snow some through the Helena area Wednesday morning We will be left with scattered mountain snow showers in the afternoon with clearing skies Temperatures will begin to warm today with a slight west wind developing Highs in the western valleys will reach the teens and 20s while the plain will still be stuck in the single digits We will have a bit of a break from snowy weather tomorrow Just some mountain snow showers in southwestern Montana will be present We continue to warm back into the teens and 20s for most areas Friday will be the return of wintry weather as another center of low moves to our south 1-3 inches for lower elevations can be expected at this point in the forecast Unsettled weather will be around this weekend —————————————————————————————————————————— A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for Central and Southeast Phillips and Eastern Roosevelt Until 5 PM Wednesday A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains Until 5 PM Wednesday A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for Hill County and Northern Blaine County Until 5 PM Wednesday A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for Lolo Pass and Highway 93 Sula to Lost Trail Pass until 11 AM Wednesday A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for the Missoula and Bitterroot Valley until 11 AM Wednesday A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for Highway 200 Thompson Falls to Plains and Highway 200 Trout Creek to Heron until 11 AM Wednesday A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for Butte and Highway 12 Garrison to Elliston until 11 AM Wednesday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for the Canyon Ferry Area and Helena Valley until noon Wednesday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for the Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains and Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass until noon Wednesday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for the Missouri Headwaters until noon Wednesday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for the Montana Hi-Line adjacent to the Rocky Mountain Front and Eastern Toole and Liberty Counties until noon Wednesday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for the Southern Rocky Mountain Front and the Meagher County Valleys until noon Wednesday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for the Big Belt Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains and Northwest Beaverhead County until 5 PM Wednesday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for Gallatin Valley until 5 PM Wednesday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for the Bears Paw A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for the Madison and Beaverhead River Valleys until 5 PM Wednesday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for Garfield and McCone Counties until 5 PM Wednesday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for Richland County until 5 PM Wednesday A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY continues for the Canyon Ferry Area and Western and Central Chouteau County until 11 AM Wednesday A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY continues for the Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent foothills and plains and Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass until 11 AM Wednesday Helena Temperature Records Today:High: 63 (2007)Low: -28 (1893)AVG: 35/16 Great Falls Temperature Records Today:High: 62 (1941)Low: -27 (2014)AVG: 36/15 Have a great Wednesday!Joey BianconeMeteorologist Facebook: Meteorologist Joey BianconeInstagram: joeybianconewxEmail: joey.biancone@ktvh.com WINTER WEATHER ALERTS are in effect for most of Montana for the next couple of days A WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect most of north-central Montana from 5am/11am/5pm Friday until 5am/5pm Saturday A WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect for central and southern Phillips County and Petroleum County from 11am Friday until 5pm Saturday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect for the southern Rocky Mountain Front and the mountains in central Montana from 8pm Thursday/11am Friday until 5am/5pm Saturday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect for portions of northeastern Montana including Valley County and northern Phillips County There is going to be some light snow around tonight and light snow accumulations of up to an inch or two are possible We are also going to have overcast skies tonight with a few areas of fog around It is also going to be cold tonight in north-central Montana as lows are going to be in the -0s and 0s lows tonight are going to be in the teens and low to mid 20s A significant snowstorm is then going to impact our area tomorrow and Saturday snow will develop from southwest to northeast but the snow will taper off from southwest to northeast during the afternoon and evening locations around and west of I-15 and in southern portions of north-central Montana including around Great Falls and Lewistown will see snow begin to develop during the mid to late morning This snow will then overspread the rest of north-central Montana during the afternoon and evening snow will arrive around or after sunset tomorrow Widespread snow is then likely tomorrow night in north-central Montana and there are going to be areas of snow around the Helena area tomorrow night Some of the snow that falls tomorrow and tomorrow night will be heavy at times Light to moderate snow will then continue to fall on Saturday but this snow will gradually taper off from west to east as the day goes on This snowstorm will drop a significant amount of snow A widespread 3-12” of snow is expected in central and north-central Montana from this evening through Saturday evening with most locations receiving 5-10” of snow 3-8" of snow is expected through Saturday evening 6-18” of snow is expected through Saturday evening difficult travel conditions are expected tomorrow and Saturday (especially tomorrow afternoon through Saturday morning) so please use extreme caution when driving and consider delaying your travel if possible give yourself plenty of extra time to get to where you need to go It is also going to continue to be cold tomorrow and Saturday in north-central Montana as highs are going to be in the single digits highs tomorrow are going to be in the mid to upper teens and low to mid 20s in most locations and highs on Saturday are going to be in the upper 20s and low to mid 30s in most locations It is also going to be breezy in some areas east of I-15 tomorrow as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 20 mph There is also going to be a breeze around on Saturday along the Divide and the Rocky Mountain Front as well as in northeastern Montana as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 20 mph we are going to have mostly cloudy skies with a few snow showers around in north-central Montana and scattered snow around Helena Snow is then likely around Helena on Monday and there is going to be some scattered snow around in north-central Montana on Monday generally around and west of I-15 as well as along the MT 200 corridor We are also going to have a wide range of temperatures on these two days as highs are going to range from the single digits to the mid 30s with the coldest temperatures along the Hi-Line east of I-15 and the warmest temperatures around Helena We are then going to have partly to mostly sunny skies on Tuesday with a few snow showers around during the morning We are also going to have a wide range of temperatures again on Tuesday as highs are going to range from the mid teens to the mid 30s with the coldest temperatures in northeastern Montana It is also going to be a little breezy in some areas on Tuesday as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 5 and 20 mph Some isolated rain and snow showers are then possible on Wednesday as another weak disturbance passes through our area We are also going to have partly to mostly cloudy skies on Wednesday Partly cloudy skies and mainly dry conditions are then expected on Thursday as high pressure is going to be in control of our weather Warmer air is also going to return to our area for these two days as highs are going to be in the mid to upper 20s There is also going to be a breeze around on Wednesday as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 20 mph A Pacific front brought rain and snow showers to western Montana this morning temperatures were mild this afternoon in the 30s and 40s That changes Sunday through early next week Weather Alert Days: A series of storms will disrupt travel across western Montana into early next week Expect moderate travel impacts with several rounds of snow and colder temperatures over the next 3 days Active weather is forecast to return this evening with the potential for snow squalls across west-central and southwest Montana These squalls may result in brief periods of intense snowfall An Arctic airmass is forecast to move west of the Continental Divide bringing significantly colder temperatures to the region late Sunday and Monday This will lead to a substantial drop in temperatures with highs struggling to reach the teens and overnight lows potentially dipping below zero Wind chill values will be in the 10s to 20s below zero A complex weather pattern will develop Monday through Wednesday This could result in a storm total of 2 to 6 inches of snow in the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys and US-12 east of Missoula could see 6 to 12 inches of snow Mountains will see heavy snow with up to 2 feet in the Bitterroot Road conditions are likely to remain hazardous due to ongoing snow and ice Mountain passes and higher elevations will be particularly affected Motorists should exercise caution and stay updated with the latest road reports Here is a look at watches and warning issued by the NWS Last updated by NBC Montana at 5:15PM.WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 11AM Sunday until 11 AM Monday for the Southern Clearwater Mountains and the Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains Likelihood of minor to moderate impacts from around 1 to 3 inches of snow is 70 percent WINTER STORM WATCH from Monday morning through Wednesday morning Total snow accumulations between 9 and 18 inches possible WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 11AM Sunday until 11 AM Monday for the Butte/Blackfoot Region Likelihood of minor to moderate impacts from around 1 to 3 inches of snow is 60 percent and 3 to 6 inches of snow is less than 10 percent Total snow accumulations between 4 and 10 inches possible WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 11AM Sunday until 5 AM Monday for northwest Beaverhead County Total snow accumulations between 2 and 5 inches Total snow accumulations between 5 to 10 inches at lower elevations and between 8 and 16 inches possible in the mountains WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 11AM Sunday until 5 AM Monday for the Canyon Ferry Area-Madison River Valley-Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft-Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains Total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches Total snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches possible WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 11AM Sunday until 5 AM Monday for the Southern Rocky Mountain Front Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches Total snow accumulations between 7 and 14 inches possible WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 11AM Sunday until 5 AM Monday for the Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains Total snow accumulations between 2 and 7 inches Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches at lower elevations and 10 to 20 inches possible in the mountains Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 11 AM Sunday until 5 AM Monday for Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass WINTER STORM WATCH Monday morning through Wednesday morning Total snow accumulations between 8 and 16 inches possible WINTER STORM WATCH from Monday through Wednesday morning for the Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys Chance of moderate to major impacts from snow is at least 50 percent Total snow accumulations between 3 and 9 inches possible Winds gusting as high as 35 mph causing blowing and drifting snow WINTER STORM WATCH from Monday night through Wednesday morning for the Kootenai/Cabinet Region and the Flathead/Mission Valleys Total snow accumulations up to 6 inches possible WINTER STORM WATCH from Monday morning through Wednesday morning for the Northern Clearwater Mountains Total snow accumulations between 9 and 12 inches possible it’s important to know where storm/tornado shelters are located in central Alabama Below is a list of storm shelters organized by county. We also have a list of storm shelters that allow pets If you have a storm shelter you would like included in this list, click or tap here to email the WBRC digital team If you need a place to stay during the storm Click or tap here or more information on storm shelters in Jefferson County Craft Community Center: 7115 County Hwy 19 If your storm shelter center is listed above and has changed or needs to be removed, please click or tap here to email the WBRC digital team (Español) Hurricane Helene has made landfall in Taylor County and Jefferson counties for the next hour or two The winds will gradually decrease overnight but the strong rainbands will continue to sweep through Helene will move fast and stall near the Tennessee Valley during the weekend and early next week as it loses categories and moves inland over Georgia It will fuse with another system and continue bringing rain over the Tennessee Valley for several days Drier air will filter in on Friday for Florida especially for the Panhandle and northern Florida the last of Helene’s rainband could still be which could produce a few storms as it will pull lots of tropical moisture from the southwest This stream of moisture coming in from the southwest will likely stay put through the weekend We will have more information Friday morning Daylight will allow us to see the damage left behind after the winds subside and the storm surge retracts Please don´t try to pick up debris there could be live powerlines in them  The National Hurricane Center’s latest report indicated that Helene has increased in strength once again and its maximum sustained winds are 140 mph The extremely dangerous hurricane is inching closer to the Big Bend coast It is about 65 miles west of Cedar Key and 90 miles south of Tallahassee.An extreme wind warning has been placed in effect for parts of the Big Bend and Panhandle This is because winds of at least 115 mph will be experienced within the next hour sustained wind speeds will likely stay in the warned area for a couple of hours The National Hurricane Center’s hourly updates indicate that Helene is now a category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 130 mph It is an extremely dangeroushurricane about 165 south of Tallahassee Hurricane Helene continues to become even stronger the National Hurricane Center says Helene holds maximum sustained winds of 125 mph and is moving even faster at 23 mph to the north-northeast a catastrophic and deadly storm surge will start along parts of the Panhandle and Big Bend Large waves are already slamming against the West Coast of Florida and waters will continue to rise as the storm moves northward Large wind stormPower outages have doubled in the last two hours and over 200,000 customers are now without power Power outages will continue to increase across the state and will be widespread across the Panhandle Wind will quickly start to increase and penetrate across the Panhandle Violent winds or at least 130 mph will affect the areas where the eye lands especially to the right or east of the center Storm SurgeUp to 20 feet of storm surge is still possible across the Big Bend and parts of the Apalachicola area Up to 8 feet of storm surge is also possible across the west portion of west-Central Florida.Flash floods likely especially across the panhandle of north Florida Heavy rains will continue to move up the state Some of these heavy rains have had thunderstorms embedded in them The tornado watch has expired across South Florida but continues to be in effect for areas north of Lake Okeechobee Tropical storm-force winds are experienced across southeast Florida This means sustained winds between 39 and 57 mph The West Coast to Florida continues to feel the upper range of tropical-storm-force winds and hurricane-force gusts The winds will pick up promptly across northern Florida within the next few hours and will continue to become even stronger as the afternoon and evening progresses Helene is expected to make landfall on Thursday evening in the Florida Big Bend area Widespread power outages are very likely across the Florida peninsula and North Florida Helene’s wind field will continue to expand as the system moves northward Up to 20 feet of storm surge is still possible across the Big Bend and parts of the Apalachicola area Up to 8 feet of storm surge is also possible across the west portion of Central Florida and the National Weather Service has issued several tornado warnings across South Florida and Central Florida on Thursday morning The tornado watch will continue in effect until 8 p.m Please remain indoors and continue to monitor the weather closely XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong> Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" Listen: Environmentalists in Pinellas County are calling for a renewed.. 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Meteorologists are encouraging people to keep an eye on the weather the closer it gets to the weekend Story with Central Indiana weather forecast continues after gallery local meteorologists with NWS said Hoosiers living in Central Indiana can expect the following weather conditions ⛈️ Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 11 a.m. then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11 a.m then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m South southeast wind 6-10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms 🌧️ Tuesday night: Scattered showers before 8 p.m West wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening ☁️ Thursday night: A 40% chance of showers ☁️ Saturday night: A 40% chance of showers ⛈️ Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm ⛈️ Sunday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely How cold is fall in Indiana?: Old Farmer's Almanac says to keep your flip-flops out for fall. Unless you live in Indiana John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at JTuftsReports Dear Reader,Unfortunately our comment platform isn\'t available at the moment due to issues with our paywall and authentication vendor Thursday's severe weather forced a number of schools in Sonoma County to join the growing list of closures Saturated soils and gusty winds are increasing flood risks leading to road closures and downed trees across the region Follow our live coverage below for real-time updates Thursday on the storm’s impacts Thursday's severe weather forced several other schools in Sonoma County to join the growing list of closures Cinnabar Elementary School District in Petaluma will be closed Friday because of a burst pipe according to the Sonoma County Office of Education Horicon Elementary School in Annapolis and Guerneville School District also announced closures for Friday Forestville and Guerneville are both at risk of flooding from the Russian River Village Charter School on Piner Street in Santa Rosa an area that experienced significant flooding Thursday For a live updated list of school closures, visit the Office of Education's website: https://www.scoe.org/pub/htdocs/storm-update.html Nearly 200 residents across Sonoma and Napa counties continue to be affected by widespread power failures late Thursday In Sonoma County, as of 10 p.m. power has been restored to Healdsburg, Santa Rosa and Sonoma ― areas that were experiencing significant outages well into the night, the PG&E live outage map shows An area just northwest of Healdsburg in an unicorporated part of the county remains without power due to a downed power line The outage is expected to last until 10 p.m Another outage near Occidental and Camp Meeker is expected to be restored by 2 p.m Just under 50 customers in Sonoma County are affected an estimated 150 customers are experiencing power failures which are expected to be restored by 2 a.m Some residents just west of Calistoga are also experiencing outages due to a damaged power pole Restoration of power to the area is not expected until 4 p.m The coastal city of Point Arena in Mendocino County issued an emergency announcement Thursday asking residents to limit water usage as much as possible due to concerns about the city’s wastewater treatment ponds Point Arena has received more than 8.5 inches of rain since Wednesday, according to a post on the city’s Facebook page Officials said the city’s wastewater treatment ponds are rapidly filling They ask residents and businesses to avoid using water as much as possible to reduce the amount of water draining into ponds Residents should reduce or refrain from taking showers and limit or hold off on flushing toilets until the storm is over Anyone with questions is directed to call city hall at 707-882-2122 Severe weather conditions are causing significant flight delays Thursday at Charles M Many flights have been affected but others have operated with minimal delays “Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest flight information before traveling to the Airport,” Stout said in an email San Francisco International Airport also experienced significant weather-related delays Thursday The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for most of central and west Sonoma County where significant flooding has already been reported a meteorologist with the weather service’s Monterey office Friday but could be extended depending on rainfall A flood advisory has also been issued for all of Sonoma County a flood advisory highlights areas at risk of “nuisance flooding,” which can affect creeks and roadways while a flood warning signals more severe conditions such as road closures and streams or creeks reaching flood levels The Santa Rosa Fire Department has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to respect road closure signs during the warning though a flood watch remains in effect through late Friday night The storm has forced several school closures across Sonoma County with the western areas especially affected by flooding and fallen debris Analy and Laguna high schools in Sebastopol will also be closed Friday according to West Sonoma County Union High School District Superintendent Chris Meredith Northwest Prep Charter School and Olivet Elementary Charter School in Santa Rosa closed early Thursday because of flooding director of communications for Sonoma County Office of Education customers are without power in Sonoma County and 220 in Napa County Significant flooding in Healdsburg has forced major road closures Police warn that more closures may follow and are urging drivers to obey closure signs and avoid bypassing them or driving through standing water Rising floodwaters stranded about 150 people at Sutter Medical Center on Airway Drive in Santa Rosa submerging vehicles in the parking lot and cutting off access said Santa Rosa Division Chief Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal we evacuated our care center due to extreme weather and flooding,” a Sutter spokesperson said Patients were advised to contact their providers for updates on care Most people were able to leave as waters receded High-clearance fire engines carried wheelchair-using patients back to paratransit vans staged outside Floodwaters never breached the building and were contained to the parking lot Services at the facility continued for those already inside operations executive for Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation experienced similar rescue efforts in the past Heavy rains flooded the property in 2014 and 2016 forcing crews to pull stranded drivers from their vehicles crashing into a home on Medica Road in Santa Rosa snagged a powerline between a utility pole and the house the line hung about five feet off the ground as six trucks—some from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. others from a tree care service—worked to assess the damage leaned against the structure and sprawled across the front deck “I’m sure there are many trees down on houses,” Colette said The storm that brought down the oak also pushed a nearby stream at the top of the hill to its brink Several roads across Sonoma County have been closed due to flooding and storm impacts Map of current road closures on Sonoma County-maintained roads All Napa County roads remain open despite ongoing reports of storm-related hazards according to a county public works roads division employee crews cleared boulders that fell either overnight or earlier that morning on Snell Valley Road and some minor rocks that slid onto Berryessa Knoxville Road The Russian River could flood in the coming days as an atmospheric river brings heavy rainfall to Sonoma County in the season’s first early winter storm the Russian River in Guerneville is set to crest at 32.6 feet around 5 a.m just above the first minor flooding stage of 32 feet according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s river forecast center But that could rise as meteologists predict between 3 to 5 more inches in Sonoma County valleys and 6 to 8 inches in the highest parts of the coastal mountains with Lower Mill Street in Guerneville and Old Bohemian Highway in Monte Rio expected to take on water officials would close the intersection of Highway 116 and Neeley Road and Mays Canyon Road by the old rodeo grounds No other spots in Sonoma and Napa counties are predicted to see the river flood the Russian River starting Thursday night could rise above the minor flood flood level in Hopland in Mendocino County The river is predicted to crest Firday afternoon at more than 3.6 feet above the required 15 for the minor flood stage waters will flood Highway 222 near Ukiah and spread into low-lying areas in Hopland Santa Rosa experienced its wettest day in 25 years on Wednesday as the early winter storm brought record-breaking rainfall to the region Schulz-Sonoma County Airport recorded 6.92 inches surpassing the previous high of 6.09 inches in 2021 with parts of west Sonoma County seeing over 10 inches while Napa and Petaluma received around 2.8 inches Meteorologists predict up to 6 more inches in the mountains and scattered showers in areas like Sebastopol and St Hurricane Helene has become a destructive Category 4 hurricane as it nears the Tallahassee area and Florida's Big Bend for a cataclysmic landfall Thursday evening Dr. Ryan Truchelut, of Tallahassee-based WeatherTiger is tracking Helene to landfall on Florida's Big Bend coast and is offering this running analysis of what to expect up until landfall hourly update from the NHC has Helene as a Category 2 hurricane All remaining Extreme Wind Warnings have been cancelled as Helene slowly weakens even over 60 miles inland and nearly two hours post-landfall the eastern eyewall of Helene is still formidable and is a major inland wind threat for south-central and central Georgia through the overnight hours winds and rain are winding down as a final band passes through Tallahassee Expect just intermittent showers and gusty conditions through the morning hours Peak gust at the Tallahassee airport seemed to have been 67 mph with higher numbers likely in eastern Leon County I’m concluding the liveblog with an equal mixture of relief and extreme confusion as to how Taylor County can be hit three times by hurricanes (including two major hurricanes) in 13 months after having exactly one other hurricane landfall on record in 170+ years I hope you stayed safe through this terrifying storm threat and found some value in WeatherTiger’s coverage 12:30 a.m. - Eyewall pushing into GeorgiaThe northern eyewall of Helene is racing north at over 30 mph into south Georgia with the worst conditions arriving in Valdosta now With the center of the hurricane just north of Madison Extreme Wind Warnings indicating the potential for 115 mph or higher gusts continue between Live Oak and Monticello Winds are still cranking in Tallahassee as well where the airport just clocked a 67 mph gust One final strong band is about to roll through town from the west which may actually produce our top wind gusts in town in the next 30 to 45 minutes.One final post to wrap it up coming up at 1 a.m The center of Helene is now just north-northwest of Perry where wind gusts of 99 mph were recorded at the airport Helene is making its closest approach to Tallahassee now passing about 40 miles east-southeast of the Capitol Pressure is now also slowly rising at WeatherTiger World HQ in southeast Tallahassee where a minimum of 973 millibars was recorded The top gust so far at Tallahassee Airport is 60 mph though I would not be surprised to see higher gusts when a strong band to the city’s west rolls through in the next hour 11:35 p.m. - New Extreme Wind Warning; eye over Perry; Winds will start to ease in Tallahassee after 1 a.m.NWS Tallahassee has extended the Extreme Wind Warning north into Brooks Time to take interior shelter in these areas where pressure as of the last report was 948 millibars The worst conditions will continue in the Capital Region for another hour and a half Hurricane Helene has made landfall on the Big Bend coastline as of 11:10 p.m Maximum sustained winds at landfall were 140 mph a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Helene is now the 17th Category 4 hurricane to make landfall in Florida since 1851 It is also the only Category 4 or 5 hurricane on record to make landfall between Panama City (Michael) and Charlotte Harbor (Ian/Charley) 11:05 p.m. - Eyewall pushing inland; worst of Leon weather underway nowThe 11 p.m NHC advisory leaves the imminent landfall intensity at 140 mph Helene will become the first ever Category 4 hurricane to make landfall in Apalachee Bay since at least the 1840s The hurricane continues to move north-northeast The NHC discussion highlights mesocyclones rotating around Helene’s eyewall which are smaller circulations within the inner core that can cause damage streaks and locally elevated wind gusts Continue sheltering in an interior location in the Extreme Wind Warning and surrounding areas as the worst of Helene starts now in Leon County 10:50 p.m. – Worst weather imminent in Big BendHelene’s core has expanded slightly to about 60-65 miles wide as it nears landfall The center of the hurricane is only about 15 miles offshore and landfall will occur in the next half-hour in western Taylor County.The worst weather is occurring now in Alligator Point and will be starting in the next hour from south to north across Leon County Top wind gust so far at Tallahassee Airport is 49 mph Helene is bringing all the havoc of a Category 4 landfall to Apalachee Bay tonight The worst of Helene’s eastern eyewall is moving towards Perry as Cedar Key storm surge is soaring past major flood stage While wind observations are few and far between in the Big Bend the top gust in to NWS Tallahassee so far is 84 mph at Horseshoe Beach With winds above the surface over Taylor County as estimated by Doppler radar of 150 mph or more 10:20 p.m. - Eyewall hits shore of Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla counties; Tallahassee should prepare for extreme windsHelene’s most intense eastern eyewall is on the Taylor County coast as of 10:15 p.m. The eyewall is also moving into Jefferson and western Wakulla Counties now With strong convection on the western half of the storm the inner eyewall is periodically expanding northwest While not all of Leon County is under the Extreme Wind Warning I would take shelter now in Tallahassee as if you were in case wobbles or core expansion bring the strongest winds a bit farther west The hourly position estimate from the NHC places Category 4 Helene about 65 miles south of Tallahassee Movement has tilted a touch back to the north now moving north-northeast on a 20 degree heading at 24 mph Minimum central pressure is down to 939 millibars Infrared satellite imagery is showing extremely intense convection continuing to burst on the western and northwestern side of Helene’s center of circulation Hurricane Hunters are finding pressure continuing to drop on each pass Helene appears to be continuing to strengthen all the way to landfall which is likely about an hour away in western Taylor County 9:45 p.m. - Flash Flood Warnings across PanhandleIn addition to the Extreme Wind Warning almost all of the Central and Panhandle are also under a Flash Flood Warning due to torrential rain associated with Helene’s core so in case there already wasn’t reason enough be sheltered and stay sheltered until tomorrow morning across the Panhandle and Big Bend The northern portion of Helene’s inner eyewall is just about onshore in Taylor County With the Extreme Wind Warning beginning just miles east of Tallahassee there is no closer shave possible for the Capital region Hurricane-force wind gusts are still likely in Tallahassee over the next few hours and we will have to watch closely for any possible track wobbles or core expansion that would bring the very dangerous eyewall over more of Leon County The Tallahassee National Weather Service office has issued an Extreme Wind Warning for portions of eastern Leon This is an extremely rare warning issued when non-tornadic winds exceeding 115 mph are possible in a location If you have large overhanging trees and are on the east side of the storm you choose a room on the north side of your house if you do not have a strong interior room in which to shelter With two Hurricane Hunters circling Helene lots of data is coming in telling us about the strength of the hurricane’s winds and its motion allowing forecasters to issue a timely warning This movement has been quite steady over the past three hours with Helene tracking north-northeast at about a 15 degree heading and its forward speed accelerating above 25 mph Helene’s inner eyewall will reach the coast in the next hour or so If there are no major changes in heading or the size of Helene the inner core will tuck into the Extreme Wind Warning area 9 p.m. - Helene intensifies furtherThe hourly position and intensity estimate from the NHC finds Helene an even stronger Category 4 hurricane based on reconnaissance data Maximum sustained winds are up another 5 knots to 140 mph Even as Helene passes 65 miles west of Cedar Key winds there are nearly gusting to hurricane force at 73 mph The worst conditions in the inner eyewall remain offshore for now Floodwaters are rising quickly as the tides and storm surge are combining to begin a historical inundation of central and eastern Apalachee Bay surge is already about 5’ above baseline values and rising fast The center of Hurricane Helene is now about 75 miles south-southwest of the Taylor County coastline with the leading edge of Helene’s inner eyewall only about 35 miles offshore Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County this inner core is shaping up to be about 55 miles wide perhaps broadening a bit prior to landfall you experience the worst of a major hurricane especially on the east side of the eyewall in eastern Apalachee Bay which will extend much farther away from the center on the east side of the storm as shown on the wind gust analysis map If Helene’s core stays fairly compact and an eastward component to its movement continues I’ll be watching over the next few hours for any signs of that changing and there is little change from the previous information we had Estimated minimum central pressure is down to 942 millibars and motion remains to the north-northeast (25 degrees) at 23 mph Category 4 Helene’s outer core is now pushing on shore into Florida’s Big Bend While on-the-ground weather observations are sparse in this part of Florida Cedar Key recently reported sustained winds of 52 mph and a gust to 65 mph so tropical storm conditions with embedded hurricane-force gusts are likely to overspread the Apalachee Bay coastline in the next hour The worst of Helene’s winds are now advancing north into Apalachee Bay while the west-central Florida coast sees the worst of what they are going to see There have been a number of 70-80 mph gusts in the St Petersburg area in the last couple of hours and increasingly onshore winds plus incoming tide are pushing water levels to flood stage in the Bay Area as night falls Plotting the updated NHC expectation of a track into central or east-central Apalachee Bay surge is expected to exceed 10-feet tonight from roughly St particularly as landfall is timed close to high tide in the 11 p.m.-ish timeframe These values will likely push into the NHC’s peak 15- 20-foot range in eastern Apalachee Bay on this track Helene is continuing to strengthen as it tracks north-northeast shedding several more millibars of central pressure on the second Hurricane Hunter pass the northeastern Gulf isn’t a favorable location for hurricanes to rapidly intensify Helene’s intensification was made possible by water temperatures several degrees above normal plus the upper-level low over Arkansas and Tennessee shown on water vapor imagery This low is doing the work of fanning the “exhaust” from Helene’s powerful convection hundreds of miles away to the north One other thing to be aware of is that Helene and this upper low will spin around each other post-landfall causing the track of the hurricane to bend back north at some point tonight or early tomorrow While it’s absolutely good news (for Tallahassee not elsewhere in the Big Bend) that Helene is passing Tallahassee’s longitude now be aware that a turn more northward and less northeastward may develop in the next few hours putting Tallahassee deeper into the northwestern quarter of Helene’s core That new center fix from the Hurricane Hunter plane places Helene’s center about 175 miles south-southeast of southwest Tallahassee as of 6 p.m With Helene now basically even with Alligator Point’s longitude the most probable landfall location is likely somewhere between just southeast of St the very worst of the wind damage is most likely to be along and 10 to 20 miles east of the track That once again lines up Taylor and Dixie Counties for the worst of a major hurricane landfall Note well that the winds in the western half of the storm Should Tallahassee see Helene go just to our east we may well be better off than our eastern neighbors but we are still likely to catch the northwestern eyewall of a major hurricane This will produce a level of damage well beyond what Tallahassee saw in Hermine (peak gust 60-70 mph) NWS Hurricane Threats and Impacts products continue to highlight the potential for peak wind gusts tonight of at least 110 mph across the eastern Panhandle Be ready to retreat to a sturdy interior room when the eyewall reaches your location in these areas 6:20 p.m. - Cat 4. Helene confirmedThe Hurricane Hunters have completed a bumpy eyewall passage finding minimum central pressure down another four millibars or so since the previous “center fix” three hours ago Flight level winds have also increased sharply to around 100 knots in the western eyewall and 135 knots in the eastern eyewall (Those winds are well above the surface and have to be reduced to make an estimate of surface winds.) This data shows Helene is forming a tight core of destructive winds within its broader circulation which will cause devastating damage when it comes ashore later tonight the NHC has upgraded Helene to a Category 4 hurricane Also note that while Helene is increasingly symmetrical the wind speeds on the eastern and western halves of the storm are different by around 40 mph This is because the storm itself is moving at 20 mph adding its forward momentum to winds on the eastern half and subtracting it from the west both halves of the storm are clearly packing destructive winds at this point As we await the Hurricane Hunters crossing the center of Helene visible satellite imagery continues to show a rapidly intensifying hurricane Twin convective bursts are rotating around the inner eyewall with a number of lightning strikes noted in the northern eyewall as well We’ll see what the reconnaissance plane finds but don’t be surprised if it is a Category 4 hurricane With Helene passing about 125 miles west of Tampa in the 5 o’clock hour attention is turning north to the Big Bend where the first push of heavy rainfall associated with the central convection of Helene is now making it onshore in Apalachee Bay Conditions will deteriorate quickly as this rain moves inland with tropical-storm-force gusts following soon behind the final NOAA Hurricane Hunter mission that will be keeping tabs on Helene through tonight’s landfall is enroute to the hurricane That aircraft’s first pass through the center in the next hour will be telling as the previous plane found a sharp drop in pressure on its last eyewall passage That data will also give us a fresh read on what Helene’s windfield looks like and hard data regarding its forward speed and heading a track directly into central Apalachee Bay is a virtual certainty at this point and the destructive winds of Helene’s core will reach the coast in another 2 to 3 hours then push inland across the eastern Panhandle and Big Bend The NHC has issued their 5 pm advisory package including a new position and intensity estimate which is on the upper bound of Category 3 intensity still has Helene as a category 2 deep into Southwest Georgia but the NHC discussion product strongly indicates that NHC forecasters believe Helene will reach Category 4 strength at some point prior to landfall hurricane-force winds associated with Helene’s core extend almost 60 miles east and 45 miles west of the center of circulation The track forecast has been shifted east perhaps 10 miles at 5 p.m. it is not likely that Tallahassee will miss it I’ll be talking more about wind expectations soon Those coastal wind gusts in the 50s and 60s have already been driving significant storm surge across the Florida Gulf Coast this afternoon Surge was in the 3-5’ range across Southwest Florida and already pushing 4’ in Cedar Key well ahead of the stronger winds Afternoon low tide is causing waters to temporarily recede a bit in Apalachee Bay but the terribly timed high tide around 11 pm is also likely to coincide with the strongest onshore winds of hurricane- and major-hurricane-force The 15-20’ surge values in the NHC forecast for Apalachee Bay are looking very realistic given Helene’s size and strengthening and it is not too late to leave if you are still in an evacuation zone in Apalachee Bay with heavy rainfall still several hours off Helene is coming in drier than expected for a lot of Florida so far (other than the flooded Central Panhandle) but the Tropical Storm Warnings are verifying across the state they noted a recent sustained wind of 54 mph at the mouth of Tampa Bay and a 63 mph gust at Sarasota-Bradenton Airport minimum central pressure has plummeted another 8 millibars to 951 which is alarming and indicative of rapid intensification Peak gusts so far today south of Ocala have generally been in the expected 40-55 mph range with top gusts in the 50-65 mph range on the Southwest and west-central Florida coasts There has been no notable wind in North Florida Helene is producing heavy rainfall across much of the Southeastern U.S. while large swaths of Florida are actually seeing less rainfall than expected from the storm The heaviest rainfall in Florida is continuing to concentrate over the Apalachicola River Valley Steady and occasionally heavy precip is also falling in north Georgia and the Carolinas and Northeastern Florida have seen only a few bands and three-day rainfall totals mostly less than 1” This is seemingly because Helene has wrapped up some dry air around its periphery This dry air is not penetrating the powerful core of Helene 3:25 p.m. - Another look from spaceHere’s another look at Helene from satellite Colors on the satellite loop denote how cold the storms ringing Helene’s center are The storms around the eyewall this afternoon are very tall This image also overlays afternoon GFS model tracks and show the center hurricane is closely following expectations and not deviating much left or right from its forecast course into Apalachee Bay I’ve talked a fair amount in the liveblog about the widespread threats and hazards associated with Major Hurricane Helene but less about what the storm is actually doing now I’ll be focusing on current conditions in the next hour as Helene’s eye is gradually clearing out and intense convection is forming a more symmetrical ring around that eye Hurricane Hunters reported a 26-mile wide closed eyewall on their last pass through the center one likely to keep strengthening (as forecast) through the afternoon 2:25p - Threat assessment, part 2In addition to the wind and surge threats life-threatening flooding is occurring and forecast in Florida and the Southeastern U.S The next post will look at where it is coming down this afternoon but let’s start with the broadest perspective of where watches and warnings indicative of precipitation threats and impacts are in effect.As with the wind advisories in the previous post it’s a massive swath of the Southeastern United States that is under a Flood Watch this afternoon— the areas in dark green from Florida (other than Pensacola sorry Pensacola) extending north to Virginia and west to Arkansas and southeastern Missouri Embedded within the watches are significant Flood and Flash Flood Warning areas in bright green and dark red A large Flash Flood Warning is currently in effect in Florida’s Apalachicola River Valley heavy rain has been falling since last night Given the heavy rains to come and saturated soils in many of these areas NOAA has highlighted a region from the central Panhandle into western North Carolina as being at the highest risk of flash flooding including the Tallahassee region where landfall is expected this evening “High risk” events are pretty rare and account for much of recorded flood damage so take the flood threat seriously by not driving into floodwaters of any depth and evacuating if notified by local emergency officials.Finally and South Carolina are currently under a Tornado Watch as Helene’s bands are capable of rapidly spinning up damaging tornadoes many hundreds of miles away from the center I’ve seen several Tornado Warnings cross my desk this afternoon for locations across the eastern Panhandle Keep a means of receiving Tornado Warnings on hand if under a watch 1:55 p.m. - New NHC intermediate advisory; strengthening as track holds steadyThe NHC has issued the 2 p.m (We call this an “intermediate” advisory because unlike the full advisory packages typically issued at 5 and 11 a.m there is not an updated track and intensity forecast with these NHC products They are issued each at the 3-hour halfway point between the 5s and 11s (the 2s and 8s) to update intensity advisory is that Helene’s estimated sustained winds are up another 5 mph to about 110 mph or just shy of Category 3 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale isn’t really the right scale to evaluate Helene because of its massive size Pressure as measured by NOAA Hurricane Hunters continues to steadily fall Bottom line is Helene is strengthening as expected producing widespread and significant surge I’ll be dealing with each of those threats individually in the next few hours but let’s get things starting by reviewing the National Weather Service watches and warnings that are in effect for each impact the NHC’s new “experimental” cone is a neat visual summary of the incredible extent of Helene’s windfield and the threat that the hurricane poses to a massive swath of the Southeastern U.S A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Central and Eastern Florida Panhandle as well as the southwestern quarter of Georgia and a piece of southeastern Alabama A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the rest of Florida other than the lucky ducks in Destin and Pensacola and likely 25+ mph forward speed at landfall Not sure I’ve ever seen a broader area under tropical wind warnings at once All that wind is pushing a wall of water through the eastern Gulf into Apalachee Bay and Storm Surge Warnings are in effect from Cape San Blas into Everglades National Park If you’ve received a warning and evacuation order you still have time to safely do so for a few more hours and you need to be inland enough to not be in it tonight Significant surge is already occurring in west-central and southwest Florida If you’ve never read my forecasts prior to today a Tallahassee-based weather consulting and forecasting company and I’ve been preparing for days like this my entire life ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location I’ve been in the hotseat for all of Florida’s worst hurricanes of the last decade: Irma I’ve been researching hurricanes for over 15 years and graduated from FSU’s doctoral meteorology program I’ve been through the eye of Hurricane Charley I’ve never been through the eyewall of a Category 3+ hurricane in Tallahassee because the last time that happened was (probably) 1842 I’ll be frequently updating this page with minute-by-minute meteorological developments: the latest NHC advisories and forecasting insights on all aspects of this catastrophic storm My goal is to keep you safe by providing accurate real-time information until Helene has moved out of Florida and electrons stop flowing here at WeatherTiger World HQ in Southeast Tallahassee My house is 20 miles from the Gulf on high ground so while I’m confident in my physical safety I’m not confident that my communication contingencies stay up through the night It all depends on where Helene’s core goes and how strong it is If you’re just getting caught up on Hurricane Helene Helene has strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds estimated at 105 mph and it continues to intensify this afternoon as it accelerates north-northeast towards Apalachee Bay The eyewall is likely to reach the the Big Bend coastline around 8 p.m. with Helene’s center probably crossing the central Apalachee Bay shore prior to midnight with tropical-storm-force winds extending almost 350 miles southeast of the center These winds are overspreading much of South and Central Florida currently and Tropical Storm and coastal Storm Surge Warnings are in effect For North Florida and west-central Florida where Storm Surge and Hurricane Warnings are in effect and the truly life-threatening conditions arrive in the evening hours You should be sheltering in place by late afternoon on the Nature Coast facing down the most formidable hurricane threat to the Big Bend in some 180-odd years a storm that dwarfs last year’s Idalia in scope and impacts My job is to try to make this awful experience a little less miserable and traumatic by telling you the straight unfiltered deal on what’s going to happen and when with Helene Back in about 20 minutes to start rattling through current conditions and the threats ahead." (This story was updated to add new information.) Dr. Ryan Truchelut is chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger, a Tallahassee company providing forensic meteorology expert witness services, and agricultural and hurricane forecasting subscription services. Visit weathertiger.com for more information. Email Truchelut at ryan@weathertiger.com Support local journalism by subscribing to a Florida news organizatio Montana forms part of the US northern Rockies and Plains region Montana's capital, Helena, is situated in the western part of the state, while its most populous city, Billings lies in the south and has around 120,000 residents Montana became a state on November 8th, 1889 after having been acquired by the US during the Louisiana Purchase from France. The Louis and Clark expedition visited the territory from 1804 to 1806 Montana has a total area of 147,040 square miles (380,832 square kilometers), making it the fourth-largest state in the country. It is roughly the size of Germany and four times larger than South Korea. Compared to US states, it is three times larger than Mississippi which flows from eastern Montana through the south Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River spanning approximately 197 square miles (510 square kilometers) It was dammed in 1930 and now generates electricity Montana’s nickname as the “Treasure State” originates from its richness in mineral reserves Montana mines around 26 different minerals the majority of which are found in the northern Palladium and platinum are two of Montana’s most prominent minerals generally found in the southern part of the state Gold is or has been mined in 30 of Montana’s 56 counties Montana has three physical regions that compose its landscape: The Eastern Plains and a transitionary zone between both of them known as the Central Front Montana's Eastern Plains cover roughly a third of the state to the east and rolling grasslands cover the majority of the region Some forested sections break the grasslands as well The western third of Montana consists of the Rocky Mountains composed of interconnected mountain ranges and valleys with notable species such as the Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir while the mountains receive more precipitation with some areas even having a temperate rainforest climate The Central Front region spans from northwest Montana through the southeast It eventually extends through Wyoming to the south and Canada to the north connecting the Eastern Plains and Western Mountains The State of Montana is divided into 56 counties Montana is the 4th largest and the 8th least populous state in the USA Located in the west-central part of the state in the foothills of the Big Belt Mountains is Helena – the capital city of Montana the capital city has many mineral production and processing centers Situated in the south-central part of the state is Billings – the largest city of Montana It has been nicknamed the “Magic City” because of its rapid growth from an initial railroad town to one of the largest trading areas in the United States The State of Montana is located in the northwestern United States The landlocked state of Montana is bordered by the states of Idaho in the west It is also bordered by the Canadian provinces of British Columbia The above blank map represents the State of Montana printed and used for geography education purposes like map-pointing and coloring activities The above outline map represents the State of Montana photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com Snow showers return to the Rocky Mountain Front and much of higher elevation of western Montana today Most of the Front will receive about 5-10 inches of snow Friday into early Sunday Strong wind will begin once again today and last into tomorrow Gusts of 60 to 75 MPH are possible for a good chunk of central Montana Valley inversions will also break down on Friday into Saturday and Missoula to warm into the upper 30s to low 40s Unsettled weather sticks around through next week An atmospheric river setup is trending more likely over southwest Montana Impactful snow totals can be expected with a pattern like this Winter Storm Watches have been issued for almost every mountain range in the western half of the state for Sunday and Monday with a possibility of over 6" in the lower elevations another arctic air outbreak will occur next week Highs will be in the single digits and teens These cold conditions will last well into next week A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for the Continental Divide along the Rocky Mountain Front until 5 AM Sunday A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for northwest Beaverhead County until 5 AM Sunday A WINTER STORM WARNING has been issued for the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains from 5 PM Friday until 5 PM Sunday A WINTER STORM WARNING has been issued for the Flathead Valley and Flathead Lake from 11 AM Friday until 5 AM Saturday A WINTER STORM WARNING has been issued for Essex and Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan Lake from 11 AM Friday until 5 AM Saturday A WINTER STORM WARNING has been issued for Highway 56 Bull Lake Road and Mission Valley from 11 AM Friday until 5 AM Saturday A WINTER STORM WARNING has been issued for Highway 200 Thompson Falls to Plains and Highway 200 Trout Creek to Heron from 11 AM Friday until 11 AM Saturday A WINTER STORM WARNING has been issued for Dixie and Highway 93 Sula to Lost Trail Pass from 11 AM Friday until 5 PM Saturday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains from 5 PM Friday until 5 AM Sunday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for Highway 200 Bonner to Greenough and Highway 83 Seeley Lake to Condon from 11 AM Friday until 5 PM Saturday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for the Bitterroot Valley and Missoula from 5 PM Friday until 5 PM Saturday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for Highway 12 Garrison to Elliston and Butte from 5 PM Friday until 5 PM Saturday An AVALANCHE WATCH has been issued for The Selkirk and Bitterroot Mountains - Silver Valley above 4,000 feet from 6 PM Friday until 6 PM Saturday An AVALANCHE WATCH has been issued for on and below steep slopes in Glacier National Park and Flathead Range from 6 PM Friday until 6 PM Saturday A WIND ADVISORY has been issued for the Beartooth Foothills and Livingston Area from 8 PM Thursday until 9 PM Saturday A HIGH WIND WARNING has been issued for the Northern High Plains from 11 PM Friday evening until 8 PM Saturday A HIGH WIND WARNING has been issued for Eastern Glacier and Judith Basin County and Judith Gap from 11 PM Friday until 8 PM Saturday A HIGH WIND WARNING has been issued for the Northern Sweet Grass from 11 AM Friday until 11 AM Saturday A HIGH WIND WARNING has been issued for the Madison River Valley from noon Friday until 6 PM Saturday A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for Northwest Beaverhead County from Saturday evening until Monday afternoon A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for the Continental Divide along the Rocky Mountain Front from Saturday evening until Monday afternoon A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for the Highwood and Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains from Saturday evening until Monday afternoon A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for the Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains from Saturday evening until Monday afternoon A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for the Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains and Potomac/Seeley Lake Region from Friday afternoon until Monday afternoon A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for Highway 56 Bull Lake Road and Mission Valley from Sunday morning until Monday afternoon A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for the Missoula and Bitterroot Valley from Friday evening until Monday afternoon A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for the Flathead Valley and Flathead Lake from Sunday mornign until Tuesday evening A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for Essex and Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan Lake from Sunday morning until Monday afternoon A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for Highway 200 Thompson Falls to Plains and Highway 200 Trout Creek to Heron from Sunday monring until Tuesday evening A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for Dixie and Highway 93 Sula to Lost Trail Pass from Saturday evening until Tuesday evening Helena Temperature Records Today:High: 62 (1992)Low: -42 (1893)AVG: 34/15 Great Falls Temperature Records Today:High: 67 (1992)Low: -38 (1893)AVG: 36/15 Have a great weekend!Joey BianconeMeteorologist Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz Funeral Home Assisting the Montana communities of Helena 72 of Jefferson City passed at home on December 7 She fought bladder cancer for over a year with her family at her side In that year her dream came true when she went to the CMA awards in Las Vegas with her daughters               She loved to cook Holiday meals for her family Everyone was able to sit around their large table Her adventurous spirit took her many places              She is survived by her husband            Surviving sisters; Shirley Battershell             She has 11 Grandchildren and four Great grandchildren who she loved very much             A graveside service will take place at 1:30 pm Saturday A reception will follow the graveside service at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home; 3750 N  Memorials in Bonnie’s name are suggested to Hospice of St View map View map Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist Share your photos Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own. New Year’s Eve and all the other fun things we did together will not be the same We will think of you often and try to take care of Wayne for you We at Robert Allen Nissan want to give our condolences to Wayne and his family Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you or the family We will miss seeing you Bonnie when we come home to Montana to visit You were a fabulous aunt and always so sweet to me growing up decorate and had so many other admirable qualities How wonderful to know that you are now with the Lord for all eternity Although no words can really help to ease the loss of Bonnie that you bear just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer May the peace that comes from all the wonderful memories of love you share about Bonnie bring comfort to you now and in the days ahead May you take comfort in knowing that your angel Bonnie is watching over you I had the pleasure of knowing and being a part of Bonnie and Wayne’s family for the past 5 years or so I have been very blessed each time I shared a feast at their home at Thanksgiving and Christmas with all of the family I will always cherish her and the love she poured forth to all who came into her presence I enjoyed her humor and I loved to tease her as well Her beauty inside and out will always be present to those who knew her May the beautiful memories of Bonnie comfort you Have been waiting for the “right” words but there are no “right” words Wayne and all the rest of Bonnie’s family a nickname that I don’t remember knowing I think that Spunkie would have been more descriptive of her and always was the first one to come to the rescue if she sensed a need and always hold her truthfulness as an example we have only known wayne and bonnie for a few years and from the very first time we met them they opened their hearts to us as if we had been friends our whole lives although i will miss my friend i know that she is now in the comfort of the Lord where she is forever young and i will see her again © 2025 · Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz Funeral Home · Website by Luci's Office HELENA, Montana — Just 27 months after plans were announced to build a temple in Montana’s capital city and less than two years after start of construction, the Helena Montana Temple opened its doors to the public with a news conference and media tour Monday The temple will be The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ 178th dedicated house of the Lord and second in the state of Montana the Church has 315 total temples across the globe — operating under construction or in planning and design In conjunction with the media day, the Church released exterior and interior images of the Helena Temple on ChurchofJesusChrist.org Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the Helena Montana Temple in two June 18 sessions — at 10 a.m The dedicatory sessions will be broadcast to all units in the temple district which includes five stakes total in Helena Following the morning tour on Monday’s media day invited guests have been invited and scheduled to tour the temple through Wednesday The public open house tours begin Thursday President Russell M. Nelson announced a temple for Helena on April 4, 2021 — one of 20 locations identified that day during April 2021 general conference Less than three weeks later, on April 20, 2021, the Church released a site location and exterior rendering for the temple Just two months and 22 days after the announcement, a groundbreaking for the Helena Montana Temple was held on June 26, 2021, with Elder Vern P. Stanfill presiding and offering the prayer to dedicate the site and the construction process The single-story temple of 9,794 square feet rises to a height of nearly 97 feet The building is the first Latter-day Saint temple constructed through the design-manufacture-install process The temple’s modules were constructed in Birmingham with the modules then connected and finished on site The exterior stone cladding and tower assembly were also done on site putting the finishing touches on this much-anticipated house of worship The building’s art deco style acknowledges Helena’s vibrant late 19th-century history and design such as the temple’s entry portico and its low arch which references the Richardsonian-Romanesque entry of Helena’s landmark Power Building built in 1889 and an anchor of the city’s historic district Design elements reflect the area’s Native American artwork such as the decorative patterns of flowers and leaves of the buttercup plant in geometric patterns Another example is the design of the exterior and interior art glass with the three parts representing the roots of the buttercup and then the full flower’s blossoms and leaves — all in a blue border referencing Native American beadwork the flooring carpeting features natural colors — blues golds and creams — in suggestive nature and the other decorative elements blues and neutrals are accented at times with 22-karat gold leaf north of Helena proper and in the west-central area of Helena Valley and about a third of a mile west of Interstate 15 shrubs and flowers that will thrive in the west-center region of the Big Sky State and provide landscaping featuring seasonal color The first recorded Latter-day Saint to arrive in present-day Montana came in 1854 Van Etten hauling freight between Salt Lake City and mining and logging camps in the region Minnie Miller moved with her husband to the Jocko Valley in western Montana to help manage the American Indian agency there Additional Church members were attracted to the region with the 1860s gold rush and 1869 completion of the overland railway Montana’s first unit of the Church was established in July 1917 in Drummond with the small branch organized by Melvin J a future Latter-day Saint Apostle who at the time was president of the Northwestern States Mission The state’s first meetinghouse was built in Drummond with the first meetings conducted there in March 1919 The Church’s first stake in Montana was created in Butte in June 1953; within four years additional stakes were located in Great Falls and Missoula Montana is home to more than 51,000 Latter-day Saints comprising 127 congregations “It is really quite a profound observation to be able to see that and then think about the significance of what that means — the house of the Lord with holiness to the Lord,” Elder Stevenson said to see that and to be able to participate in the temple’s dedication which dedicates it as the house of the Lord and with all of that done with holiness to the Lord.” The Apostle dedicated the Helena Montana Temple on Sunday in two sessions that were broadcast to meetinghouses throughout the temple district and covers about half of the Big Sky State “serves as a testament of the strength and devotion of the Saints who reside in this beautiful region of Montana.” Joining Elder Stevenson for the dedication services were his wife, Sister Lesa Stevenson; Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Nancy Duncan; Elder Randall K. Bennett a General Authority Seventy and counselor in the North America Central Area presidency; and Michael Suhaka managing director of the Temple Department With the Church’s latest dedicated temple — No including those under construction or announced and in planning — Latter-day Saints in that “beautiful region of Montana” can more easily and frequently attend the temple and be better connected to and with Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ through sacred covenants and ordinances and participating in instruction and worship In thoughtfully preparing for the dedication and while studying the Church’s history in the state Elder Stevenson said he realized how remarkable it is for the Latter-day Saints in central Montana to have a house of the Lord in their midst now they have had this relatively close proximity to Church headquarters — it is long drive but it’s drivable,” he said of the 485-mile distance between Helena and Salt Lake City and the driving time of just under seven hours “And then, we think of the bookends of legacy temples that have been a more drivable distance for them,” he noted of the Idaho Falls Idaho and Cardston Alberta temples at 270 and 230 miles respectively from Helena via the interstate “What a great blessing it is now for this great area of Montana to have access to a temple like this now,” Elder Stevenson said “It is part of the blessings that are coming to us as our dear Prophet is so focused on gathering Israel on both sides of the veil This temple will bless the lives of many people.” Sister Stevenson said attending a temple dedication is always a blessing especially when the Stevensons cross paths with longtime acquaintances like 94-year-old Elsie Gruel of Great Falls She first became acquainted with Elder Stevenson a number of years ago when he visited during a Montana fishing trip and accompanied her to a horse sale you’re instantly connected,” Sister Stevenson continued “Your hearts connect — you have the same thoughts the same desires and a love for our Savior “And to have this temple here for these humble sweet people — it’s just been their dream,” she continued And now these temple blessings are taking place in their part of the world.” President Nelson announced a temple for Helena on April 4, 2021 — one of 20 locations identified that day during April 2021 general conference five have sites identified and three are earlier in planning and design built atop the location of a previous stake center which was razed to make way for the new house of the Lord A new stake center was built adjacent to the temple and has a large room that serves as a waiting area for the temple “We didn’t anticipate having a temple this soon because it seems we lacked the growth and numbers necessary to support one,” said Donna Romney wife of Helena Montana Stake President Bret R “Now we get to be part of this miracle of temples being brought to smaller areas The temple is providing more opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and we are already seeing growth as people are drawn to the house of the Lord.” And President Romney sees a wide swath of blessings to Latter-day Saints in the temple district — not only by making and keeping the covenants through temple ordinances and strengthening testimonies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ we’ve always heard temple workers relate how impactful their temple service is individually and for their marriage and family,” President Romney said “Now we’ll have eight to 10 times more temple workers from our stake It’s exciting to anticipate how that will bless the lives of our stake members and wards and branches “So many blessings will come from having a dedicated house of the Lord so close.” The year 1896 proved pivotal for the Church in Montana only a year after the state’s first branch was established in Lima a small town just north of the Idaho’s northeastern border Edward Stevenson of the First Council of the Seventy — Elder Stevenson’s third-great-grandfather — toured the area with Matthias Cowley of the Oneida (Idaho) Stake presidency to minister to Latter-day Saints and gather the less active a precursor to the present-day Billings Montana Mission within three years of the Salt Lake Temple being dedicated we have the Montana Mission being organized — that is pretty remarkable,” said Elder Gary E “The Church has had great representation here for many Church membership in Montana totaled more than 1,000 Kimball and LeGrand Richards created Montana’s first stake Montana is home to some 51,000 Latter-day Saints in 13 stakes with two dedicated temples and a third announced “Many were touched to learn that even our young people serve in the temple and how [they show] their love to their departed ancestors by offering them sacred proxy ordinances,” the Apostle said “Others were fascinated to learn that husbands and wives are married here — not just for time but for eternity.” are beautiful buildings designed to provide something even more beautiful: the Lord’s sacred ordinances “We honor the Lord by building a beautiful structure, as did Solomon in the Old Testament, but we honor Him more by performing the sacred ordinances that only take place in a dedicated house of the Lord,” said Elder Stevenson, who then cited Doctrine and Covenants 84:20: “Therefore co-chairs for the open house and dedication committee said local members not only used the talking points in inviting friends and neighbors to the open house but the doctrine and principles contained carried over to Latter-day Saints’ testimonies “There’s a fluency now — it’s like now our five stakes speak a ‘temple language,’” Suzi Stanger said “It was amazing how it transformed being able to share the temple in a personal way as a member with both members and nonmembers.” Jim Stanger said many visitors came intrigued by the temple’s unique construction — the Church’s first modular method using a design-manufacture-install process He and others leading tours would talk about the physical building outside After stopping and pointing out the “Holiness to the Lord; the house of the Lord” inscription above the entrance the tours then focused on the talking points of covenants Said Suzi Stanger: “You could see it was transformative and I think that was one thing that really captured them — the sincerity of the focus on the Savior.” What did attendees feel during the dedication “I just felt an incredible amount of peace and joy and I’m looking forward to bringing my children here and being together as a family,” said Tiffany Hobson of Rivers Edge Ward in the Great Falls Montana Stake as his voice cracked with emotion: “I felt love from God And I felt like He cares about the Saints here in this region.” Three young women from the Helena Montana Stake shared what they learned from the Spirit it just hit me that we weren’t the only people in that room — other people who have passed on they were in the temple with us,” said June Lay of the Helena 4th Ward “And so it’s really cool to know how important this temple is to everyone.” Ruth Lay: “I was super happy to be able to go in This is the first dedication I’ve ever been to — and I really felt the spirit Anna Christensen of the Helena 6th Ward agreed and it helped me feel peace in this world.” You are about to access Constant Contacts (http://visitor.constantcontact.com) You are now leaving a website maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints We provide the link to this third party's website solely as a convenience to you and security practices that differ from those on our website By referring or linking you to this website we do not endorse or guarantee this content If you would like to stay on the page you are viewing please click Cancel To download media files, please first review and agree to the Terms of Use Download a photo or video by clicking or tapping on it To download all photos or videos related to this article select the links at the bottom of each section The state of Montana in the North-Central United States goes by many names. Over the years, this generous and breathtaking land has been called "Big Sky Country," "The Treasure State," and "The Last Best Place." All of these amiable designations reflect Montana's resource-rich history, its Rocky Mountain allure and the blending of two quintessential American cultures: Indigenous tribes and buck-wild cowboys Montana remains one of the least-populated states (44th as of the 2020 census) Here are the top ten cities where Montanans have laid down roots Billings is the only city in the state to crack 100,000 residents a former rail hub and continued commerce center for the state's Eastern region Billings was nicknamed "The Magic City" for its swiftly growing population stacked between the quaint Bitterroot Valley (to the South) and the rambunctious Glacier National Park (to the North) Missoula is also surrounded by National Forests and Wilderness Areas with the Rockies stepping up to fill that lovely and ubiquitous Montana horizon This setting not only provides the state's usual spread of outdoor activities but also some of the social benefits that come from blending nature and a nature-appreciative community Missoula is the seat of Missoula County and saw a 10% growth in population between 2010 and 2020 Great Falls is the seat of Cascade County in Central Montana the source of five splendid waterfalls that the city takes its name after The falls at Ryan Dam is perhaps the most magnetic but each set deserves to be marveled at during a hike Great Falls is also called "The Electric City," as it has made excellent use of its renewable natural resource by building hydroelectric dams at three of the five falls Though growth has been relatively moderate (3.3% from 2010 to 2020) Great Falls continues to be one of Montana's biggest tourist attractions welcoming approximately 1 million visitors each year This pristine Southern Montana mountain town makes for a relaxed and charming place to take in the natural beauty visitors can try their hand at backpacking/camping The Big Sky Ski Resort and Yellowstone National Park are just south of town and a short drive Northwest is Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Though currently fourth in terms of population Bozeman takes the crown for the fastest-growing city in Montana About equidistant between Bozeman and Missoula this seat of Silver Bow County provides access to all the same outdoor recreation as the latter two cities but from a base camp that is even quieter and much more spread out Butte's population density is only about 48.2 people per square mile The town initially came to fame as "the richest hill on earth," owing to the slew of copper deposits The wealth this generated is evidenced by the Victorian uptown district and the scattered opulent mansions scattered and is another example of Montana's quite literal rich history This gold mining community was founded in 1864 Given its lucrative exploits and blessed surroundings Helena became known as the "Queen City of the Rockies." The Victorian-era architecture is worthy of royalty and continues to draw attention to the city combined with her duties as the state capital and middle-ground position between the two major national parks has contributed to continued growth throughout the years Kalispell is the seat of Flathead County in Northwestern Montana It is another perfectly-located city for lovers of the outdoors and minutes to the North is Glacier National Park and the start of its acclaimed Going-to-the-Sun Road and slightly further to the West stretches the Kootenai National Forest Kalispell has a spirited downtown strip filled with good grub and shops to support grand adventures or easy-going afternoons the city of Belgrade has also benefited from the rush of residents to Gallatin County Though just eclipsing the modest population of 10,000 people Belgrade has experienced the second-highest growth rate in Montana (41.6%) This city was named after the capital of Serbia in honor of one of the key financiers of the Northern Pacific Railroad Belgrade is the site of the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and acts as a suburb of the more bustling Bozeman Belgrade is the top-dog on this list (3,218.5 people per square mile) Approximately 25 miles Northwest of Butte is the curiously-named seat of Deer Lodge County he originally sought the name Copperopolis (to reflect the Copper boom) before settling on Anaconda Once home to the world's largest non-iron smelter and refining complex this site was closed in 1980 before being cleaned up and turned into a high-end golf course Anaconda's economy leans on tourism (based around outdoor recreation and history) rather than extraction The small population and significant land area give Anaconda the lowest population density on this list (12.8 people per square mile) Rounding out the top ten is this rural agricultural community in North-Central Montana though still easily within reach of the mountains Students seeking the quiet life are drawn to Montana State University (Northern) while residents of all kinds can enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this laid-back railroad town A love of nature and the desire for anonymity are some of the main reasons people find themselves in Montana There are certain areas that draw big crowds namely Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park and truly explore one of the last best places HELENA — Roughly 250 inflatables sit in Helena Valley West Central to spread Christmas cheer the Lloyd family starts to plug in and fill up their Christmas village at 930 Lodestar Road and family that are electricians...they look the other way when they think about all this," said homeowner Jolene Lloyd their electricity bill rises from around $170 a month to $700 Some of their inflatables have spilled across the street into Jolene's parent's yard and the neighboring garage It all started in 2018 when Jolene made her childhood hopes come true "It was a tradition for us growing up to look at lights and go on drives so it was something I always wanted to do." they'd get really excited about everything so that was kind of adding fuel to the fire," The Lloyd family is very particular about how to keep their inflatables secure "Walmart sells stakes that have ridges that stick to the ground you want to start using string as well....there's about five or six stakes per blow up." Two of their three children do not think they will ever get tired of the decorations Not even when I'm 100," said James and Jordan Lloyd they also started displaying Halloween inflatables; this October Their decorations are one way they give to the community during the holidays and the community has done the same for them "We get notes randomly and sometimes blow-ups The Lloyd's typically wait until the weekend after Christmas to take down their decorations Wintry weather is back to cause travel issues statewide this morning 3-6 inches of fresh snow is expected through the day in Helena and many lower elevations of southern and central Montana (WATCH Meteorologist Joey Biancone's winter weather update of Facebook Live Friday Morning) Snow will continue to fall into the late morning and early afternoon hours across western Montana as breezy conditions will persist in the Helena Valley Aside from scattered mountain snow showers we will be temporarily drier until an arctic front blasts through the state Sunday into Monday as well as usher in much colder air for next week Monday night and Tuesday morning will be particularly cold Air temperatures will be 10-20 degrees below zero A FLOOD WARNING continues for locations along the Madison River near the Ennis State Park and adjacent areas until 8:45 AM Sunday A FLOOD ADVISORY continues for locations along the Jefferson River mainly between Twin Bridges and Silver Star until 8:45 AM Friday A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for Musselshell A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains until 11 PM Friday A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for Northern Stillwater County until 5 AM Saturday A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for Northeastern Yellowstone A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for Missoula A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass and Centennial Mountains until 11 PM Friday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for the Madison and Beaverhead River Valleys and Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains until 11 PM Friday and Meagher County Valleys until 11 PM Friday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for the Interstate 90 Corridor between Bozeman and Whitehall until 11 PM Friday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for Northern Park A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for Highway 11 Pierce to Headquarters and I-90 Lookout Pass to Haugan until 4 PM Friday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for Highway 200 Thompson Falls to Plains A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for Homestake Pass A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for Custer and the Bighorn Canyon until 5 AM Saturday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for Petroleum and Southwest Phillips Counties until 5 AM Saturday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY continues for Northern Big Horn and Northern Rosebud Counties until 5 AM Saturday Helena Temperature Records Today:High: 62 (1886)Low: -36 (1936)AVG: 35/16 Great Falls Temperature Records Today:High: 64 (1954)Low: -32 (1936)AVG: 36/15 WINTER WEATHER ALERTS are in effect for most of Montana through Saturday or early Sunday morning A WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect most of north-central Montana and portions of northeastern Montana until 5am/5pm Saturday A WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect for the Bozeman area from 5am until 5pm Saturday A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect for the Helena Valley and the Meagher County valleys until 8pm Friday and the mountains around Helena until 5am/5pm Saturday Widespread snow is likely through tomorrow morning in north-central Montana and there are going to be areas of snow around the Helena area through tomorrow morning the snow is going to gradually taper off from west to east and tomorrow morning will be moderate to heavy at times an additional coating-4” of snow is expected through tomorrow evening 2-8” of new snow is expected through tomorrow evening difficult travel conditions are expected tonight and tomorrow morning so please use extreme caution when driving and consider delaying your travel if you can Road conditions will begin to improve some during the second half of tomorrow as the snow moves out allowing plows to catch up Breezy conditions are also expected tonight in locations east of I-15 and tomorrow along the Divide and along the eastern half of the Hi-Line as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 25 mph It is also going to be frigid tonight as lows are going to be in the -0s It is then going to be cold again tomorrow in north-central Montana as highs are going to be in the single digits and teens it is going to be warmer tomorrow than it was today as highs are going to be in the 20s and low to mid 30s There is then going to be some scattered light snow around in north-central Montana on Sunday and Monday generally from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning there is going to be scattered snow around on Sunday and light to moderate snow is likely on Monday We are also going to have mostly cloudy skies and a wide range of temperatures on these two days as highs are going to range from the low teens to the mid 30s Monday will be the colder day for most locations We are then going to have partly to mostly sunny skies and mostly dry conditions on Tuesday as we are going to be in between disturbances There are then going to be some scattered rain and snow showers around on Wednesday as another disturbance passes through our area Mostly dry conditions are then expected on Thursday and Friday as high pressure builds back into our area We are also going to have partly cloudy skies and warmer temperatures on these three days as highs are going to be in the mid to upper 20s There is also going to be a breeze around on Wednesday and Friday as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 25 mph the National Weather Service issued an updated winter storm warning in effect until Wednesday at 11 a.m Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches." The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning commute," describes the NWS "To see a graphical representation of the degree of stress on young livestock please visit our webpage and select Local Programs then Cold Air Advisory for Newborn Livestock." Winter weather can make driving treacherous leading to over 6,000 weather-related vehicle fatalities and over 480,000 injuries each year When traveling during snow or freezing rain it's safest to assume that icy conditions exist on roadways and adjust your driving accordingly Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches which can lead to snapping and falling hazards opt for routes with fewer trees and power lines and immediately dial 911 if you come across one Here are additional winter driving tips from the NWS: When traveling out of town in hazardous winter weather inform your family or friends of your destination Ensure your gas tank is full and equip your vehicle with essential winter supplies Inform someone about your situation and location Indicate that you need assistance by attaching a cloth to your car's antenna or mirror and make your vehicle more visible by using the dome light and flashers Keep an eye out for snow plows and allow them ample room to pass Only overtake a plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead check the latest road conditions to make informed travel decisions These winter driving tips from the NWS are your key to a safer journey on snow-covered roads you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your well-being during challenging winter weather ​This warning was produced by United Robots using National Weather Service data Get the daily forecast and severe weather alerts in your inbox A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Saturday at 3:12 p.m The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 6:34 a.m The alert is for Gates of the Mounta… Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Gerald (Jerry) Curtis Mitchke passed away suddenly on December 9 Jerry was the son of Peggy Lou and Milton Mitchke and was born September 30 He was the third of four children and was raised in Helena with older brothers Ed and Mick and younger sister Margie Jerry was a proud graduate of Cathedral High School He was a “Saint” in every aspect of the word – a devoted husband a loyal friend and colleague and a faithful man who loved God and his Church Jerry was often a man of few words who showed his love and his leadership through his service to others He could always be counted on to offer his help His wife and children were blessed to have a husband and father who willingly and selflessly gave his love and support to them in every way he knew how His caring spirit and gentle nature were so dear to us all and typically a very clear point of view on most topics Many who knew him well commented that Jerry could figure out a solution before most people had even processed the problem All who spent time with him appreciated his quick sense of humor and warm smile Jerry was dependable and logical and was frequently sought out for his advice He was a leader who did not fail to listen to the opinions of others although oftentimes in his mind there was not a question of the “right answer” Jerry’s early life was spent in Helena where he built life-long friendships through school and athletics Jerry attended Cathedral High School; he was the center on the “Greenie” football team and led the team to the MT state championship in his senior year he enrolled at Carroll College where he studied mathematics and joined the Saints football team as the center Jerry was inducted into the Carroll College Football Hall of Fame in 1981 Jerry and Kit married in Helena on June 12 1965 and shortly thereafter moved to Billings to start their married life together Mark followed in 1967 and Jerry’s only daughter Ann arrived eleven years later in 1979 Kit and family lived in Billings for 22 years Life in Billings was filled with good friends supporting the boys in their sports endeavors (and their paper route) and convincing Ann that she was not one of the teenage boys Jerry started his career at IBM as a systems engineer later moving into sales and education before moving into a role in management Jerry’s friends at IBM noted that he always finished at the top of his class in IBM trainings Kit and Ann moved back to Helena where he began his second career as a Commercial Real Estate Appraiser Jerry enjoyed his second career and the opportunity it gave him to continue to apply his logical mind and problem solving skills participating in religious education and enrichment activities He found many ways to volunteer his time and talent through the Cathedral and other organizations Each year he looked forward to the summer vacation at Camp Tuffit where family Kit; sons Curt (Janna) and Mark (Kris); daughter Ann (Chris) Gozzano; grandchildren Wyatt The Mitchke family is thankful for the love and community that surrounded Jerry throughout his life and for all of those who knew and loved Jerry Please keep Jerry and his family in your thoughts and prayers A visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday December 13 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home; 3750 N A vigil service will follow the visitation at 7:00 pm A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am Friday December 14 Helena with interment to take place at resurrection cemetery immediately following the Funeral Mass A reception will follow the interment in the social hall at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Memorials in Jerry’s name are suggested to the Carroll College Football team View map View map Share your photos Jerry & I knew each other through our mutual profession — appraising real estate While we often “agreed to disagree” on some aspects of an appraisal I learned many things from Jerry and I am a better appraiser for having been reviewed by him I liked Jerry very much and he was such an important part of of the Montana Chapter of the Appraisal Institute I hope he knew how many lives he touched…He will be missed We worked together for 22 years and became as close as any two men could I respected Jerry more than any man I have known in my life So many memories; both work memories and our lives memories Jerry was my ‘caretaker’ for so many years and I have never forgotten one minute of our lives together Kitty; I loved you and Jerry and always missed both of you when you left Billings We had some great times in our “early” years A visual that will always remain with me is a party around the pool at the Hilands club when Jerry accidentally stepped off the side of the pool with drink in hand and went completely under water still holding a slightly diluted cocktail appeared above the surface followed by red head with a smiling but sheepish grin and said “I saved it” you and your familly are and will always be in our thoughts and prayers On behalf of the Montana Chapter of the Appraisal Institute we would like to express our deepest sympathy for your loss Jerry has been a crucial volunteer in our chapter for many years His work touched and benefited all of our members He was the glue that held our chapter together On a personal note I feel so fortunate to have worked with Jerry and will miss him greatly He was a gentleman in every sense of the word Ellie Clark – President of the MT Chapter of the Appraisal Institute Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family as you go through this difficult time I was saddened to hear about Jerry’s death He was a fine colleague and ambassador of the appraisal community Jerry greeted everyone with a friendly smile and paid careful attention to others’ needs at the seminars he organized I cannot begin to tell you how fortunate I feel I am to have gotten to know Jerry this past year working together on Cathedral’s all class reunion He was always quiet and unassuming and always a gentle man but when he had an opinion he was straight forward In working on the website for the reunion I found out about Jerry’s history as a basketball player for Cathedral and then his histroy on the grid iron playing football for Carroll I would tease him about his gentle spirit and how that worked ( or did’t work) for him as an athlete don’t remember ever getting much of a response or a raise out of him for that fact I am so glad we all got together for dinner just two weeks ago and were able to laugh and remember the trials and tribulations of the past year Every where I have been this past two days people are talking about Jerry….you must know he touched the lives of many and was loved and respected by all Those of us who knew him were all left with the gift of time spent with a great Man God Bless you Kit for sharing him with so many My thoughts and prayers go to you and Jerry’s family at this very difficult time My prayers and sympathy to Kittie and family Jerry was ALWAYS so kind to me on my infrequent visits to Helena However for those who loved him he will be with us forever I first met Jerry when we he was Business Manager at the Cathedral and later worked with him after I took over the reigns at the Good Samaritan and Jerry’s help getting the finances at Good Sam turned around and put in an orderly fashion was an absolute key to the succes of that ministry He not only dedicated time to work with the finances but was instramental in getting the “Angel Crew” of his friends to help with constructiion Many of the people we served owe much to Jerry for all the quiet behind the scenes work he did so that we could provide the services to those who needed them the most and those he touched better off with his witness and his deeds We were very saddened to learn of Jerry’s unexpected death He was a good friend and probably the most dedicated and smartest person we’ve known He would meet with his fellow classmates before classes started to tutor us in the math and sciences so that we could make it through the classes You and your wonderful family are in our thoughts and prayers most sincere men that I have ever met…I can not imagine the void in your heart Jerry was in my office last Tuesday struggling with a bad back We had a great visit beyond appraisal “stuff.” He will be missed What a shock to read about Jerry this morning You were the cute newlyweds when we lived on Ave Keith and I were married 3 years and 3 days after you I hope many wonderful memories will sustain you and your family during this most difficult time I’m so sorry about Jerry’s sudden death It’s a shock to all who knew him well I remember Jerry mostly from high school but I remember him as always being kind to me willing to share some thoughts or answer questions He was loved by many and will be greatly missed in Helena Jerry always took such good care of me as the infamous “last minute” student to the Appraisal Institute classes he organized and always let me in with no notice and made sure I always the materials needed I enjoyed getting to know him professionally and will miss him Dear Mitchke’s – I’m saddened to read about Jerry’s sudden death I knew Jerry as a classmate & good friend of my older brother Joe I also knew Jerry from when we both worked for IBM I’m glad I got to see him last summer at the Cathedral reunion This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Though the current crisis arrived in full swing on Sunday the long-term issue has been West Helena's aging water system "I can turn the sink on and nothing comes out It's been like that for several hours and then it'll come back on and come out brown—or just a trickle," said Patrick Roberson Managing Partner of West Helena's Sonic Citizens in West Helena have had to drive to neighboring Helena or further for basic amenities like drinkable water and functioning showers and toilets Two water mains in the city have broken in recent weeks it was just a prelude to what happened next our computer operating system that makes this plant run on automatic so no one has to be here all day every day...it failed," said James Valley Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Helena-West Helena It is all down to West Helena's decaying 58-year-old water system installed in 1964 and in dire need of at the very least co-owner and publisher of the Helena World Chronicle blames current and past city governments for the lack of funds devoted to the city water system "The city had almost a million dollars in federal money that came in during Covid that could have been spent on some of these maintenance and repair issues with the water infrastructure it was spent on bonuses," Bagley said with each day the water system is compromised West Helena businesses are losing customers and profits to neighboring towns And that's once you go weeks at a time...we've probably lost $100,000," said Roberson "It's gonna take us a while," Valley said "we're just not sure—depending on service technicians and the ability to retrofit this plant." City officials expect to have West Helena's water system back online tomorrow Hackensack University Medical Center is a 803-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital and Bergen County’s first hospital founded in 1888 It was also the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet®-recognized hospital for nursing excellence receiving its sixth consecutive designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center Mammography at the Betty Torricelli Institute for Breast Care: 551-996-2222 News & World Report 2024-2025 has ranked Hackensack University Medical Center the #1 adult and children's hospitals in New Jersey With national rankings in eight specialties and the state’s best programs in Cardiology And it’s New Jersey’s only hospital ranked nationally in Neurology & Neurosurgery To learn more, visit our website. In this video our team members share what it means to work at the #1 hospital in New Jersey Our campus features valet parking as well as multiple garages for self-parking In addition to the information below, Hackensack Meridian Health has also developed a Digital Navigation Application called HMH Wayfinding to help you more easily navigate parking and other points of interest at our facilities Payment: Parking is available to all visitors in the Essex St Garage and Women and Children’s garage for a nominal fee (currently $8.00) If returning to the medical center for multiple visits through out the day you can request a Same Day Return Voucher for an additional fee Payment: Visitor Parking also provides Valet Services at the John Theurer Cancer Center and Medical Plaza Building for a nominal fee (currently $10.00) We also offer complimentary valet service to any patients who present to the Emergency Trauma Center for treatment Handicap parking spots are available in all garages We update our hospital visitation every Wednesday Learn More As the region’s most comprehensive Behavioral Health network trusted source for specialized addiction and mental health care for children Residency & Fellowship programs at Hackensack University Medical Center offer diverse training opportunities tax-exempt charitable organization (tax ID 22-3474145) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law Personalized news alerts with our mobile app Please subscribe to continue reading… First-team special teams: Trever Cockerill The Bobcats now have commitments from 247Sports' top-seven Class of 2025 state of Montana recruits “Feels really great to know that all the work I've put in — long nights and early mornings — finally produced the outcome I wanted.” Saco seni… Goltz will be reunited with his older brother and play wide receiver the 2023 state champion which made it to the semifinals of the playoffs this past season “I'm just very blessed and thankful for all the opportunities I've had to be able to play with my best friends throughout the years." Kash Embry thunderstorms initiated along a dryline in northwestern and west central Oklahoma and quickly became severe several supercell thunderstorms developed within the line of thunderstorms and produced large hail (1.00-2.75 inches in diameter) and damaging winds (59-89 mph gusts) As the thunderstorm line progressed to the east by early evening supercell thunderstorms began dropping weak tornadoes in parts of north central and central Oklahoma thunderstorms began training across parts of central Oklahoma and produced precipitation amounts 2-4 inches in a short period of time (~1-2 hours) The heavy runoff from these storms created flash flooding in Kingfisher As the thunderstorm line continued to the east in the NWS Norman forecast area other storms formed in southwestern Oklahoma and moved to the east but these storms were weaker than the previous storms to the north The severe weather had moved out of the NWS Norman forecast area by the early morning of May 7 A total of 15 tornadoes have been documented in Oklahoma by the NWS Norman and NWS Tulsa forecast offices for the May 6-7 10 tornadoes occurred in the NWS Norman forecast area and 5 tornadoes occurred within the NWS Tulsa forecast area Almost all of the tornadoes were unrated or weak with the exception of the deadly EF-4 tornado that hit the Barnsdall and Bartlesville communities as well as other areas in Osage and Washington counties and an EF-2 tornado that traveled through Adair County into Arkansas Both of these tornadoes occurred within the NWS Tulsa forecast area a total of 15 tornadoes have been documented in Oklahoma for The May 6-7 Of this total 10 tornadoes occurred in the NWS Norman forecast area and 5 tornadoes occurred within the NWS Tulsa forecast area Both of these tornadoes occurred within the NWS Tulsa forecast area Use the form below to select from a collection of monthly summaries recapping climate-related occurrences on both a global and national scale 02-12-2025NEWS The company had initially said it would not close any locations as part of its second Chapter 11 process [Photo: felixmizioznikov/iStock Editorial/Getty Images] BY Christopher Zara In another devastating blow to customers and employees of Joann Inc. the popular fabric and crafts retailer is moving to close a significant chunk of its brick-and-mortar locations as part of ongoing bankruptcy proceedings The company, which filed for Chapter 11 protection a second time last month, had initially said it would continue operating its approximately 800 stores as it restructured and sought a buyer it told a court this week that it has now identified a number of underperforming locations during the bidding process that it wants to close as a way of cutting costs and prospective bidders continued to conduct diligence and refine their potential bids the Debtors and their advisors were able to identify a subset of underperforming stores that are unlikely to be considered or included in any going concern bid,” lawyers for the retailer said in the court filing The filing lists hundreds of locations across more than 40 states Joann says in the filing that it would like to begin store closing sales immediately It warns that additional locations are likely to close as well Joann spokesperson Amanda Hayes confirmed the closings in a statement “As part of the ongoing Chapter 11 process and our efforts to maximize the value of the business JOANN has filed a motion seeking court authority to begin closing approximately 500 stores across the nation,” the statement read “This was a very difficult decision to make given the major impact we know it will have on our Team Members our customers and all of the communities we serve A careful analysis of store performance and future strategic fit for the Company determined which stores should remain operating as usual at this time Right-sizing our store footprint is a critical part of our efforts to ensure the best path forward for JOANN.” Founded in 1943, Joann has faced significant challenges in recent years, with factors such as the pandemic, inflation, and the broader shift to online retail hindering its operations. It was taken private last year when it filed for bankruptcy a first time but it said at the time that it expected to continue operations once it emerged A second bankruptcy came at the beginning of this year. Although Joann told customers that stores would remain open during the process it warned that it could go out of business if it is unable to find a suitable buyer Gordon Brothers, the restructuring firm that recently took control of embattled retailer Big Lots has emerged as a “stalking horse” bidder for Joann the firm is likely to liquidate and close all stores Here’s the full list of initial stores listed in Wednesday’s filing: The final deadline for Fast Company’s Brands That Matter Awards is Friday, May 30, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. Fast Company & Inc © 2025 Mansueto Ventures Fastcompany.com adheres to NewsGuard’s nine standards of credibility and transparency. Learn More a storm surge - the wall of seawater pushed ashore by winds - of eight to 10 feet (2.4-3 meters) moved mobile homes a barrier island community in Pinellas County boats were grounded in front yards.The city of Tampa posted on X that emergency personnel had completed 78 water rescues of residents and that many roads were impassable because of flooding The Pasco County sheriff's office rescued more than 65 people overnight.Officials had pleaded with residents in Helene's path to heed evacuation orders with National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan describing the storm surge as "unsurvivable."Some residents stayed put.Ken Wood a state ferry boat operator in Pinellas County said he should have heeded evacuation orders rather than riding out the storm at home with his 16-year-old cat The house shook."Down the hill from his house the storm flooded some homes with chest-deep salt water he said."Old Andy seemed like he didn't care," Wood said But next time we leave."Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said first responders were unable to answer several emergency calls from residents overnight due to the conditions county authorities found at least five people dead.Two others in Florida died Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's office reported 15 storm-related fatalities in that state while North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said there had been two deaths there.At least 19 people died during the storm across South Carolina the Charleston-based Post and Courier newspaper reported citing local officials.Flood levels higher than 9 feet are possible along Florida’s west coast according to the National Hurricane Center cumulative rainfall of up to 10 inches is possible in parts of the Southeastern United States.Helene was unusually large for a Gulf hurricane though a storm's size is not the same as its strength which is based on maximum sustained wind speeds.A few hours before landfall Helene's tropical-storm winds extended outward 310 miles (500 km) a major hurricane that struck Florida's Big Bend region last year had tropical-storm winds extending 160 miles (260 km) about eight hours before it made landfall.Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta Swati Verma and Rahul Paswan in Bangalore; Writing by Joseph Ax Brad Brooks and Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Paul Thomasch Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Norada Real Estate Investments Join our Real Estate Investment Group (FREE) October 14, 2024 by Imagine waking up to breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains and living in a home that reflects your lifestyle The Montana housing market is a vibrant tapestry woven with desire and the promise of a comfortable living experience As many people seek to escape the hustle and bustle of busy urban areas Montana has emerged as an appealing destination attracting homebuyers from across the nation and what makes the Montana housing market so enticing Montana has always had its charm, with its stunning vistas, outdoor recreational opportunities, and friendly communities. Recently, this charm has caught the attention of many new residents, particularly those looking to relocate for a better quality of life. The following sections will delve into various aspects of the current housing market in Montana. These figures represent the interplay of supply and demand in Montana’s real estate. As more people discover the state’s offerings, it significantly impacts home prices. It’s realistic to expect a continued rise as buyers look for spaces that combine accessibility to outdoor activities and a peaceful lifestyle. In September 2024, Montana had 7,592 homes for sale, along with 1,489 new listings introduced to the market. The notable number of homes available reflects a healthy market. It signifies a balance where buyers can find a range of options, catering to various tastes and budgets. The available inventory also gives potential buyers more power in negotiations. With a variety of options, they can consider aspects like location, amenities, and price points. This condition of the market offers buyers the opportunity to be more selective and strategic in their choices. Understanding the relationship between buyers and sellers in the Montana housing market is essential. The current data indicates that sales are occurring at a decent pace, but potential buyers face a competitive environment. The median sale-to-list ratio, which is 0.981 as of August 31, 2024, shows that homes are generally selling close to their asking price. This close ratio suggests strong interest in the available homes. Sellers need to be keenly aware of the competition. In a market where over 12.6% of sales go above asking prices, they might find themselves in bidding wars. Presenting their homes well and pricing them correctly can be crucial in attracting buyers quickly. Beyond the statistics and data points, the heart of Montana lies in its picturesque landscapes and tight-knit communities. People are drawn to Montana not just for the homes, but for the lifestyle. The state offers an array of activities for nature lovers, from hiking and fishing to skiing and wildlife watching. Its relatively low population density translates to less noise and pollution, making it a serene place for families and retirees alike. Communities in Montana have a welcoming charm, with many residents valuing personal connections. This warm environment can be a strong selling point for those moving from busy metropolitan areas. As urban professionals seek a quieter life, Montana offers a perfect balance of adventure and tranquility. The demographic profile of Montana is also changing. Newcomers from various parts of the country are relocating for improved living conditions, leading to an influx of diverse populations. This shifting demographic landscape can influence the Montana housing market significantly, encouraging new developments and perhaps revitalizing older neighborhoods. Additionally, the remote work trend has allowed more professionals to explore job opportunities outside of traditional city limits. Many people are now searching for homes that provide not only office space but also access to nature, thus shifting the market's focus. People want homes that accommodate their new hybrid lifestyle, and Montana fits the bill perfectly. The economic backdrop of Montana influences the housing market noticeably. The state has seen economic growth in sectors like tourism, agriculture, and technology, strengthening the workforce and, by extension, the housing demand. As jobs increase and wages rise, the potential for upward pressure on home prices remains. The housing market is sensitive to economic shifts. As more companies recognize the benefits of a Montana base, the subsequent economic boost could escalate competition in the housing sector. This situation is favorable for current homeowners but may challenge those looking to enter the market. Positive Growth Expected: Missoula (+3.1%), Butte (+3.5%), Great Falls (+2.4%) Initial Declines Noted: Bozeman (-0.6%), Kalispell (-1%), Helena (-0.2%) Stable Long-Term Growth: Forecast remains cautiously optimistic with moderate appreciation anticipated. Market Adjustment: Short-term declines expected in highly desirable areas but no signs of a major crash. Overall Outlook: Healthy corrections with anticipated growth in emerging areas. The Montana housing market is experiencing various shifts as it enters the future. With the current trends, homebuyers and investors are keenly observing how these alterations will shape property values in different regions. In this forecast, we'll break down the expected changes in home prices across several Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in Montana, examining the unique dynamics of areas like Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Kalispell, Great Falls, Helena, and Butte. Our analysis goes beyond numbers; it reflects the evolving aspirations of those who wish to call Montana home. Let’s explore how these regions are set to fare over the next year and what these forecasts might mean for prospective homeowners. As of September 30, 2024, here’s a snapshot of the projected home price growth (Zillow) and decline across Montana’s key regions until September 2025: Billings is showing a modest but consistent forecast for home price appreciation. The city is expected to maintain its growth trajectory, albeit at a slow pace in the first quarter of 2025, suggesting a stable market ready for gradual increases. Missoula demonstrates a gradual rise, similar to Billings, yet it shows a more significant potential increase in the latter half of 2025. Its appeal as a college town and cultural hub makes it attractive for new residents, contributing to its anticipated growth. Bozeman's forecast indicates a slight decline initially, likely due to market adjustments and an oversaturation of options. However, by mid-2025, the area is expected to rebound modestly, which could align with seasonal demand. Kalispell shows a similar trend to Bozeman, experiencing an anticipated dip in early 2025. Yet, the forecast suggests a significant rebound by Q3 2025, as the area's natural beauty and growing infrastructure continue to attract homebuyers. Great Falls demonstrates steady, albeit modest, growth projections through the forecast period. Its continued stability signals a grounded market that appeals to families and retirees alike. Helena reflects a mixed forecast, with an initial drop expected before modest recovery over the following year. Its government and historical significance can keep demand steady, even with fluctuations. Butte's forecast suggests a slight dip in early 2025, yet it is projected to have the strongest rebound by mid-2025, indicating an upcoming resurgence in demand. From this data, here are the regions that stand out: As we analyze the upcoming year, it's important to note that while some regions may experience initial downturns, the overall sentiment for Montana's housing market is not indicating a crash. Instead, the fluctuations observed in cities like Bozeman and Kalispell can be attributed to typical market adjustments rather than drastic downturns. Given the steady increase in demand and the continued appeal of Montana as a livable destination, it is unlikely that we will see a catastrophic drop in prices. Rather, the market seems positioned for healthy corrections and gradual growth overall. Looking further ahead, the Montana housing market could continue this trajectory of cautious optimism. With factors like ongoing economic development, an influx of new residents, and the state’s natural attractions playing crucial roles, we could anticipate moderate appreciation across most regions. Regions like Missoula and Butte may lead the charge in overall growth as they adapt to the evolving needs of potential homeowners, catering to both the local market and newcomers seeking the unique lifestyle Montana offers. As of this year, the Montana housing market seems poised for continued growth. With the expected demand for housing coupled with attractive prices relative to some larger cities, it’s plausible to project further appreciation in property values. Experts believe that the combination of desirable lifestyle opportunities, natural beauty, and economic growth will keep demand high. It’s essential to keep an eye on how inventory levels, buyer interest, and economic conditions evolve in the coming months and years. In summary, while we see positive indicators today, we should remember that housing markets are inherently cyclical. Monitoring these dynamics will be crucial for understanding how best to navigate them in the future. The Top Real Estate Markets in Montana are booming, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and thriving communities. Let's dive in! Billings, Montana's largest city, is a major economic hub, driving strong demand in its real estate market. It's a blend of urban amenities and easy access to stunning natural landscapes. Missoula boasts a vibrant college town atmosphere, a thriving arts scene, and unparalleled access to outdoor adventures. The Missoula real estate market is highly competitive, reflecting its desirability. Bozeman is arguably Montana's hottest real estate market right now. Its proximity to Yellowstone National Park and Big Sky Resort, combined with a strong tech sector, has made it a magnet for newcomers. The Bozeman real estate market is characterized by high demand and luxury properties. Helena, Montana's capital city, offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. The Helena real estate market provides a more affordable alternative to some of the western Montana markets. Great Falls serves as a central hub for north-central Montana, offering a more affordable alternative to some of the more popular areas. The Great Falls real estate market is steadier than some of the more volatile markets. Located near the stunning Glacier National Park, Kalispell is a gateway to outdoor enthusiasts. The Kalispell real estate market reflects the area's beauty, but it's also seeing strong growth. While the markets above are some of the most prominent, Montana offers many other charming towns with thriving real estate scenes. Consider exploring areas like: and the founder of Norada Real Estate Investments – a nationwide provider of turnkey cash-flow investment property  His mission is to help 1 million people create wealth and passive income and put them on the path to financial freedom with real estate He’s also the host of the top-rated podcast – Passive Real Estate Investing Subscribe to get our top real estate investing content Copyright 2018 Norada Real Estate Investments A study that ranked the worst place to live in every state based on 22 factors named the Kern County unincorporated community of East Bakersfield as the worst place to live in California and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and authored by 24/7 Wall St The about 11,000 residents of the Kern County unincorporated community have a poverty rate of 44.8% far above the statewide average rate of 12.3% study also pointed out the city's drug-induced mortality rate was 42 deaths per 100,000 residents The region was formerly known as the town of Sumner but was later incorporated and renamed Kern City Bakersfield officially annexed the area in 1910 but the area is still referred to as East Bakersfield by the U.S Worst places to live in every stateHere are the worst places to live in every state with their poverty rates: America's towns and cities all have their own unique personalities The INSIDER Data team used statistics from the US Census Bureau to determine the most lengthy location names in the US From a town in Maine called Mooselookmeguntic to a Virginia community named King and Queen Court House Keep reading to discover 20 of the longest location names in America Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos has 30 letters making it the longest name of places with spaces and hyphens This California census-designated place also has 30 letters. The area is known for its geothermal mineral hot springs Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz has the longest name of census-designated places in Texas The area is close to beaches on the Gulf of Mexico a freshwater lake between Michigan and Canada Clarkston Heights-Vineland is a census-designated place in Washington that sits on the Snake River and the state's border with Idaho Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, a census-designated place in Maryland, is close to some of the state's most beautiful nature spots, such as South Mountain State Park Los Ranchos de Albuquerque is a village outside the city of Albuquerque Helena Valley West Central is a census-designated place in Montana outside of the state capital, Helena, which was a gold rush destination in the 19th century Fontana-on-Geneva Lake is a village in Wisconsin that has beautiful waterfront views of Geneva Lake according to the Virginia newspaper Tidewater Review With 20 letters and three separate words, it's hard to believe Washington Court House is just the namesake of one place The city is outside Cincinnati in southern Ohio which has been an iconic destination since 1778 The city was formed in 1986, when the cities of Graymoor and Devondale were combined, according to the Graymoor-Devondale website Louisville is the closest metropolitan area to Graymoor-Devondale Chattahoochee Hills is a rural city outside of Atlanta Helena-West Helena is a city close to Arkansas' border with Mississippi. According to the Phillips County website, Helena-West Helena is the largest city in the county The nearby town of Helena has historical roots that date back to the Civil War Mooselookmeguntic has 17 letters and five syllables making it the longest town or city name (without hyphens or spaces) in the US Kleinfeltersville is tied with Mooselookmeguntic unhyphenated census-designated place name in the US Marine deputies have the rescue boat detached and secured for the mission. pic.twitter.com/tEiRwRjH6O An extreme wind warning is in effect for Perry FL, Madison FL, Monticello FL until 12:00 AM EDT for extremely dangerous hurricane winds. Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to an interior room or shelter NOW! pic.twitter.com/YP190AE63L A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina until 8 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/1MJ0CSksFL Extraordinary imagery of Hurricane Helene's eye wall, loaded with lightning.Hurricane Helene is now a dangerous, Category 4 storm. pic.twitter.com/fZnsA0y0UT The Skyway Bridge and the Howard Frankland Bridge are both CLOSED due to high winds and storm surge. Motorists should stay off the highways. #Helene pic.twitter.com/OAM2aMUPEP Flash Flood Warning including Atlanta GA, Sandy Springs GA and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport GA until 9:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/zEyqXH6sP9 Lightning flashes within Hurricane Helene's eye wall as robust convection fires. Helene continues to strengthen as it approaches Florida. pic.twitter.com/XOhTY3JOSU Once again, NOAA has raised the predicted water levels approx 1 ft. Here are the new forecasts vs records. Remember forecasts have an uncertainty of +- 2 ft.Stay safe everyone!! @WFLA pic.twitter.com/wLuYR7oLTk *URGENT MESSAGE*This will be one of the most significant weather events to happen in the western portions of the area in the modern era. Record flooding is forecasted and has been compared to the floods of 1916 in the Asheville area. pic.twitter.com/Q8SmJUlQda Watch as station cameras from 260 miles above view Hurricane Helene nearing Florida's Gulf Coast and packing winds in excess of 100 miles per hour. https://t.co/XSTg6lj6Dk Fort Myers Beach Emergency Management continues to monitor Hurricane Helene as it moves past our Island. With inclement weather anticipated throughout the day, the Town asks you to try to limit your travel and stay off the Island if you are not already here. pic.twitter.com/OAhDnkot3o UNREAL. The official forecast has been updated for Biltmore Village, predicting an all-time record crest. This is expected to surpass the historic floods of 1916 and 2004 which devastated the area.Avoid Biltmore Village at all costs tonight and tomorrow. https://t.co/1Jzjd01Qx8 pic.twitter.com/TLCVtHJ9Yl A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Florida and Georgia until 10 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/VpT3tPAuVY In the event of a storm, alligators & snakes may be observed more frequently in areas with flooding. Keep them at a distance & give them space! #Helene pic.twitter.com/YPKRwdMwOK '+n.escapeExpression("function"==typeof(o=null!=(o=r(e,"eyebrowText")||(null!=l?r(l,"eyebrowText"):l))?o:n.hooks.helperMissing)?o.call(null!=l?l:n.nullContext||{},{name:"eyebrowText",hash:{},data:t,loc:{start:{line:28,column:63},end:{line:28,column:78}}}):o)+" \n '+(null!=(o=c(e,"if").call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2PreText"):l,{name:"if",hash:{},fn:n.program(32,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:63,column:20},end:{line:63,column:61}}}))?o:"")+"\n"+(null!=(o=(c(e,"ifAll")||l&&c(l,"ifAll")||n.hooks.helperMissing).call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Text"):l,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Link"):l,{name:"ifAll",hash:{},fn:n.program(34,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:64,column:20},end:{line:70,column:30}}}))?o:"")+" walk through a flooded road while returning to their home after Hurricane Helene passed near the area Destruction to the Faraway Inn Cottages and Motel is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Hud Lilliott surveys what’s left of his home after Hurricane Helene passed the area at Dekle Beach An unidentified man paddles a canoe to rescue residents and their belongings at a flooded apartment complex after Hurricane Helene passed the area on Friday a law enforcement officer from the Florida Fish Wildlife and Conservation Commission surveys destruction from a high water buggy in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene A fire and rescue vehicle drives through destruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Vinny Almeida walk through floodwaters from Hurricane Helene in an attempt to reach Chaves’s mother’s house in the Shore Acres neighborhood Friday Workers clear debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Petersburg Fire Rescue help a resident from the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene in the Shore Acres neighborhood Friday A partially submerged vehicle sits in flood water from after Hurricane Helene passed the area A member of the Nashville Fire Rescue goes door-to-door in the floodwaters from Hurricane Helene in the Shore Acres neighborhood Friday Faith Cotto comforts her mother Nancy as they look at the remains of their home which burned during the flooding from Hurricane Helene in the Shore Acres neighborhood Friday An American flag sits in the floodwaters from Hurricane Helene in the Shore Acres neighborhood Friday Tampa firefighters work to contain a house fires while they walk in a flooded street around the Sunset Park neighborhood after Hurricane Helene on Friday walks along a flooded street from Hurricane Helene at Green Key Road near US 19 Friday Union Cathederal church is seen after of Hurricane Helene moved through the area on Friday A damaged 100-year-old home is seen after an Oak tree landed on it after Hurricane Helene moved through the area cuddle their dog after being rescued from floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Friday A Citrus County Firefigher carries 11-year- old while conducting rescues from floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Friday Foundations and steps to buildings that were destroyed by the storm surge from Hurricane Helene are seen along the shoreline in the aftermath of the storm surveys the damage to their flooded home after returning with her children Morgan stayed with her grandmother and her children in Hernando Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday urged residents impacted by Hurricane Helene to pay heed to local authorities as the storm continues to wreak havoc on a significant swath of the southeast “The storm continues to be dangerous and deadly and lives have been lost and the risk of flooding still remains high,” Harris said at the start of a campaign speech in Douglas I continue to urge everyone to please continue to follow guidance from your local officials until we get past this moment.” one person died after a tree fell and a building collapsed in Craig County The death toll from Hurricane Helene has reached at least 44 across five states: Florida Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said Friday that a “catastrophic failure” was not taking place at Walters Dam which sits in North Carolina close to the Tennessee border A local mayor had urged residents to evacuate due to the dam potentially breaking but TEMA said in a statement that the “dam has not failed” after talking to Duke Energy Among people who have died in Georgia are a 27-year-old mother and her two 1-month-old twins who were killed when trees fell on their house in Thomson The coroner said an 89-year-old woman was killed when trees fell on her house elsewhere in the same county Electric vehicles can catch fire if they are inundated by saltwater so owners who live in the path of a major storm like Hurricane Helene should take precautions The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been researching this problem since it was first seen after Hurricane Sandy struck the Northeast in 2012 But no one seems to have detailed statistics on just how often this happens Hurricane Ian compromised the batteries of as may as 5,000 electric vehicles Several more electric vehicles caught fire in Florida last year after Hurricane Idalia It happens often enough that Florida officials were worried about the possibility before Hurricane Helene arrived because they were expecting a potentially devastating storm surge up to 20 feet deep in the northwestern part of Florida These fires do seem to be linked specifically to saltwater because salt can conduct electricity Similar problems haven’t been reported after freshwater flooding in California that was driven by heavy rains early this year A weather TV reporter in Atlanta interrupted his live report about Hurricane Helene on Friday to rescue a woman from a vehicle stranded by rising floodwaters Standing in the rain with the submerged vehicle behind him Fox reporter Bob Van Dillen described how the woman drove into a flooded area he said he called 911 and she can be heard screaming as he tries to assure her that help was on the way I’m going to see if I can help this lady out a little bit more you guys.” The death toll from Hurricane Helene in South Carolina is 19 people with many of the deaths happening from falling trees as the storm moved through early Friday two firefighters were killed when a tree fell on their truck while they were answering a call Five people were killed in Spartanburg County according to Coroner Rusty Clevenger who planned to release details about the deaths later Senior Deputy Coroner Shelton England said Four people were also killed in Aiken County by trees falling on homes including a 78-year-old husband and his 74-year-old wife Two people died in Anderson County when trees fell on their houses a married couple died when their car slid on a wet highway and ran into a tree Helene is the deadliest tropical storm in South Carolina since Hurricane Hugo killed 35 people when it came ashore just north of Charleston in 1989 Recent major hurricanes that made landfall in the U.S have left hundreds dead and caused billions of dollars in damages there have been seven major destructive hurricanes: Laura Hurricane Beryl was the first of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Exceptionally warm ocean temperatures caused it to strengthen into a Category 5 storm rapidly in early July Beryl has been blamed for at least 36 deaths The storm caused an estimated $28 billion to $32 billion in damages according to AccuWeather’s preliminary estimates Atlanta received 11.12 inches (28.24 centimeters) of rain in 48 hours breaking the city’s all-time record since record keeping began in 1878 Georgia’s Office of the State Climatologist said on X The previous record of 9.59 inches (24.36 cm) in 48 hours was set in 1886 The windswept beauty of what residents claim is one of Florida’s longest stretches of undeveloped coastline was left deeply scarred after Hurricane Helene crashed ashore in rural Taylor County along the state’s Big Bend It’s a part of the state where salt marshes and pine flatwoods stretch unspoiled into the horizon a region that has largely avoided the crush of condo developments strip malls and souvenir shops that has carved up so much of Florida’s coastlines It’s a place where Susan Sauls Hartway and her four-year-old Chihuahua mix Lucy could afford to live within walking distance of the beach on her salary as a housekeeper At least until her home was carried away by Helene but I had no idea it was going to be this bad,” she said Hartway and Lucy wandered around their street near Ezell Beach searching for where the storm may have deposited her home Hartway said there is nowhere in the world she would rather be But she’s watched as wealthier residents from out of state have bought up second homes here She wonders how many of them will sell out — and what will happen to the locals who have nowhere else to go Best on Friday estimated that insurers will pay $5 billion or more to cover losses from Hurricane Helene some of which is uninsured and some of which may be repaid with federal aid it’s the amount that insurance companies are on the hook for Best said insurers paid $2.5 billion to $4 billion in losses for Hurricane Idalia last year and it expects losses from Helene to be more severe given its broader wind field and a path that hit more urban areas inland Officials in a western North Carolina town have issued a curfew due to safety risks from flooded streets and downed power lines from what remains of Hurricane Helene “It’s very dangerous out there,” Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb said Lamb said the curfew would occur over a 12-hour period starting at 7:30 p.m although officials said any death count won’t be released until family notifications have been made Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said hundreds of residents were forced to seek safety at shelters The county’s 911 center received more than 3,300 calls over an eight-hour period Friday and more than 130 swift-water rescues have been conducted said county Emergency Services Assistant Director Ryan Cole He said it took crews more than four hours to reach several homes that were hit by a mudslide “This is something that we’re going to be dealing with for many days and weeks to come,” Cole said Former Tropical Storm John has dissipated over Mexico but its remnants will continue to produce rain over the Mexican states of Guerrero and Michoacán first as a hurricane Monday and a second time as a tropical storm Friday National Hurricane Center has downgraded Helene from a tropical depression to a post-tropical cyclone a Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall in Florida late Thursday night was 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Louisville It was moving northwest at 17 mph (28 kph) The storm was expected to continue producing heavy rain in the area and cause severe flash-flooding as a result Isolated tornadoes Friday evening were possible in Virginia and North Carolina a “catastrophic failure” of Waterville Dam spurred Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis to hand down evacuation orders for all of downtown Newport according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Newport is a city of about 7,000 people roughly 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of where dozens of people were being rescued from the roof of a hospital More than 1 million customers remained without power in South Carolina several hours after the remnants of Hurricane Helene left the state and the sun started to come out Utility officials warned power could be out for many for a long time Crews were still assessing the damage and in some cases needed to cut their way through debris just to determine what was left standing Tomorrow it’s going to be 86 degrees and clear You’re going to say ‘Why can’t I watch the football game Why can’t my life be back to normal?’ Life’s not going to be back to normal until probably the middle of next week,” Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller Kissam said Friday The 1.2 million South Carolina customers without power represent more than 40% of homes and businesses in the state Henry McMaster said the storm moved east of where it was forecast and gave the state a bigger blow than expected “We urge everybody to be patient and keep your neighbors in your prayers,” McMaster said Four people were critically injured and numerous others sustained minor injuries after a tornado touched down in Rocky Mount Three buildings received significant damage including two restaurants and an auto service center Nash County Communications Director Jonathan Edwards said Friday The damage appeared to be concentrated on Wesleyan Boulevard and Tiffany Boulevard An 18-wheel tractor-trailer truck also flipped over in that area At least 15 people have died in Georgia from causes related to Hurricane Helene the rural community along Florida’s Big Bend has taken direct hits from three hurricanes — and seen the closure of its local paper mill which for decades had been one of the economic lifelines for a county where one in six residents lives below the poverty line “The word that just keeps coming to my mind is just devastated,” said Aaron Portwood which is based in the county seat of Perry Portwood’s house in Dekle Beach on the county’s long undeveloped coastline was gutted by Hurricane Helene Portwood said he’s worried about the future of this county that is steadily having its tax base wiped off the map Two firefighters killed during Hurricane Helene in South Carolina were struck by a tree The tree hit their firetruck around 6:30 a.m Friday about 4 miles (6 kilometers) west of Batesburg-Leesville The Saluda County Coroner’s Office has not released the names of the firefighters At least 17 people have been killed in South Carolina as Hurricane Helene tore through the western part of the state A mudslide and record floodwaters from the remnants of Hurricane Helene washed out a section of an interstate highway at the North Carolina-Tennessee state line Photos and video posted on social media showed at least one lane of I-40 had collapsed above the swollen Pigeon River The Tennessee Department of Transportation said the interstate was closed in both directions The National Weather Service said a flash flood warning continued for the Pigeon River which crested Friday morning about 3 feet (1 meter) above its previous record level set by the remnants of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 is making an emergency release of water from a northeast Georgia dam following heavy rains from Hurricane Helene Georgia Emergency Management Director Chris Stallings said no residents who live near Lake Rabun in the state’s mountainous northeast corner were in danger of being flooded But he said the water release would likely flood roads and bridges that some residents use to access their homes they’re going to be stuck there for at least a day or multiple hours,” Georgia Gov Brian Kemp told reporters at a morning news briefing The dam is the third in a series owned by Georgia Power along the Tallulah River which cuts a deep gorge through part of the area “We’ve got to get water out so it doesn’t cause dam failure,” Stallings said He was unable to say how long the water release would last saying that would be up to technical experts Georgia Power didn’t immediately respond to phone calls Dozens of people were being rescued by helicopter from a flooded Tennessee hospital inundated by Helene The company said on social media that county officials had ordered an evacuation of the hospital Friday morning due to rising water in the Nolichucky River Boats ordered up by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were unable to safely evacuate the hospital Ballad reported that an additional seven people remained in rescue boats as the hospital was engulfed by “extremely dangerous and rapidly moving water.” A tornado was confirmed Friday in northern Rocky Mount city communications specialist Robin Cox said There was damage to businesses in the area but the city did not yet confirm if there were any injuries Cox said there were emergency workers on the scene as of 2:30 p.m Ron DeSantis said Friday that even communities hardest hit by Hurricane Helene would get back on their feet The governor said it’s extremely difficult when someone loses a home with photos and family keepsakes that don’t have a dollar value We also understand that this is a resilient state,” DeSantis said at a news conference in storm-damaged St “We’re going to get people back on their feet,” DeSantis said It’s not going to be easy in the immediate future but there’s going to be a light at the end of the tunnel.” John came ashore near Tizupan in Michoacan state with sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kmh) after making its initial landfall farther east on the coast on Monday as a Category 3 hurricane triggered mudslides and toppled scores of trees reforming as a tropical storm Wednesday and eventually regaining hurricane strength At least eight people have died as a result of the storm At least 17 people have died after Hurricane Helene moved across South Carolina overnight Friday The dead included two firefighters responding to calls in Saluda County Henry McMaster said at a Friday news conference Two additional deaths were reported in Newberry County Coroners reported 13 other deaths — four in Greenville County three in Spartanburg County and two in Anderson County “We’re asking keep all of those families and friends in your prayers,” McMaster said The death toll from Hurricane Helene has reached at least 30 across four states According to an Associated Press tally Friday The company said on social media that county officials ordered an evacuation of the hospital Friday morning due to rising water in the Nolichucky River Ballad reported that 54 people were relocated to the roof and seven remained in rescue boats as the hospital was engulfed by “extremely dangerous and rapidly moving water.” “The situation at the hospital is very dangerous and TEMA and National Guard resources are engaged in what can only be described as a dangerous rescue operation,” Ballad wrote Four people were killed overnight by falling trees in Greenville County bringing the death toll in Hurricane Helene to 13 in South Carolina Greenville County Senior Deputy Coroner Shelton England confirmed the deaths Friday afternoon He said more information would be released later During the storm four people were killed in Aiken County three people in Spartanburg County and two people in Anderson County Some bridge lanes connecting barrier island communities on Florida’s Gulf Coast started reopening on Friday The northbound lanes of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge connecting the St Petersburg area to the Bradenton area were opened Friday afternoon though southbound lanes remained closed for cleaning up debris and assessing damage according to the Florida Department of Transportation Southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge connecting the Tampa area with the St Petersburg area also were opened to traffic while northbound lanes were still being inspected and cleared of debris The Courtney Campbell Causeway connecting Hillsborough and Pinellas counties remained closed because of debris and roadway damage,” the agency said in a statement “Bridge inspectors and maintenance clean-up crews are still on-site doing their best to clear the roadway and open it back up to motorists.” Tropical Storm Helene was downgraded to a tropical depression by forecasters on Friday afternoon The storm was located about 125 miles (201 km) southeast of Louisville and was moving toward the north-northwest at about 28 mph (44 kph) The center said the storm was forecast to stall over the Tennessee Valley Friday night and through the weekend Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts Forecasters said Helene was expected to become extratropical later in the day A map shows the Friday afternoon rainfall outlook for Tropical Storm Helene (NOAA) People living on about 30 streets in a western North Carolina county were ordered Friday to evacuate as water from Tropical Storm Helene overtopped the entire length of a dam in a town best known for the 1980’s movie “Dirty Dancing.” state Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Kat Russell said Friday Russell didn’t know how many people lived on the 29 streets within what she called the dam inundation area within Rutherford County where Lake Lure and the town of the same name are located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Asheville The lake flows into the Broad River and was created nearly 100 years ago The dam is listed as 480 feet (146 meters) long and about 120 feet (36.6 meters) high Russell said there is some erosion on one side of the dam caused by the overtopping Downstream communities have been made aware of the overtopping but have been told they would have several hours to alert residents to their own evacuations if needed The North Carolina and South Carolina state agencies also have received emergency action plans if conditions worsen Waters in the iconic lake used to film scenes for the movie “Dirty Dancing,” transforming Lake Lure into upstate New York’s Catskill Mountains An electrical utility group is warning of “catastrophic” damage to Georgia’s utility infrastructure by Hurricane Helene which represents the state’s electric cooperatives says that the hurricane damaged more than 100 high-voltage transmission lines and that more than 60 substations were out of service Friday morning A down tree and power lines seen along Margret Mitchell Drive in the Buckhead area Without transmission lines and substations the cooperatives can’t feed electricity to homes and businesses The group warned Friday that “there will be extensive delays in total restoration” and told customers especially those who rely on electric power for medical needs Of the more than 1 million Georgia electricity customers without power on Friday afternoon more than 400,000 were customers of cooperatives Restoration for customers of those utilities in rural areas can take much longer because customers are far apart At least nine people have died in South Carolina from the winds and rains of Hurricane Helene Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger reported three deaths happened Friday morning Four deaths have already been reported in Aiken County and two deaths in Anderson County Jim Justice was thankful Friday that several days of rain including Friday’s arrival of the remnants from Hurricane Helene helped reduce the risk of autumn forest fires during an exceptional drought in much of the state “I’m tickled to death that we finally have gotten this amount of rainfall,” Justice said during his weekly news briefing many ways in regard to this terrible potential that we had for forest fires.” The town of Fort Myers Beach has canceled its Hurricane Ian Remembrance and Resiliency Ceremony due to cleanup efforts from Hurricane Helene the town said it had to cancel the ceremony and did not say if it would be rescheduled The town planned the ceremony for Saturday morning to mark when Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida A residential street near the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta and the parking lot of a shopping center across the street is completely flooded Flooding in the area is expected to get worse lives part-time with his dad whose house is on the flooded street His dad is not in the state and his house is on stilts but Swalm anticipates “devastating” damage to the house’s yard and wooden patio He also believes his dad’s cars are submerged and his kayaks have floated away Preliminary data shows rainfall in parts of northwest South Carolina southwest North Carolina and southeast Tennessee reached at least half a foot between Tuesday and Friday according to the National Weather Service office for Greenville-Spartanburg Some parts of the region saw more than a foot of rain Even as Helene’s wind and rain move northward air travel snarls remain at many airports in the southeast saw nearly 400 inbound and outbound flights canceled through 1 p.m with another 500 inbound and outbound flights delayed according to flight tracking software FlightAware That’s nearly half of all flights to the airport The larger Atlanta Airport saw nearly 200 inbound and outbound flights canceled That’s nearly a quarter of all the flights at that airport Problems also lingered at airports in Florida including in Tampa Georgia saw a majority of flights canceled The National Weather Service in Morristown said late Friday morning that several water rescues and evacuations were happening near the mountains in the northeastern part of the state Local officials had ordered people in locations such as Embreeville and Roan Mountain to evacuate A Florida resident provided a devastating first-hand look at hard-hit Cedar Key Friday morning after parts of the town were flattened by Hurricane Helene Five people have died in Pinellas County in Florida after Helene blew through the area overnight Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said the deaths all occurred in neighborhoods where residents were told by authorities to evacuate but many chose to stay and then found themselves trapped by 8 feet of storm surge — an unprecedented event in the county Debris cover the street in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene at Harbor Lights Club mobile home park in Pinellas County Gualtieri said survivors told them they didn’t believe the warnings after other residents told them the surge wouldn’t be that bad He said people wound up hiding in their attics to get away from the water we told people what they needed to do and they chose otherwise,” Gualtieri said He added that his deputies tried overnight to reach those who had been trapped we tried to use high-water vehicles and we just met with too many obstacles,” Gualtieri said He said the death toll could rise as emergency crews go door-to-door in the flooded areas to see if anyone remains At least six people died in South Carolina as Hurricane Helene tore through the western part of the state early Friday Four people died overnight in Aiken County said Coroner Darryl Ables who planned to release more details later the coroner’s office said two people were killed when trees fell on houses The storm brought wind gusts to near hurricane force across much of the state west of Columbia power was out for 45% of the 2.9 million homes and businesses in the state Nearly everyone was without power right after the storm passed through in several counties including Greenville and Spartanburg where more than 900,000 people live saying it could take at least days to restore power Brian Kemp gave staggering numbers to describe the early damage from Helene Friday morning: 115 buildings were heavily damaged with multiple people trapped inside One shelter temporarily housing Georgians lost its roof Heavy rains in the North Carolina mountains brought flooding to Boone and the town was placed under a state of emergency Thursday The nonconference game was scheduled for a 3:30 p.m App State also canceled a home field hockey game against Bellarmine that was slated for Friday “We are getting boats to start carrying out more effective evacuations,” Efrén Valdez Unicoi County Hospital was closed Friday due to the weather and its 11 patients were being moved to other hospitals The company urged people who need care to go to the nearest hospital or call 911 every Ballad Health facility postponed all elective surgeries northwest North Carolina and southeast Kentucky Some of its clinics and urgent care offices were also closed Atlanta Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Ronald Slatton said rescue efforts Friday morning helped about half a dozen people who didn’t feel safe in their homes in Hanover West A creek behind some of the residences had risen to about four or five feet “We’re just here standing by if they need us,” he said of his expectations for the rest of the day Hurricane Helene ripped the sheet metal roof from a large brick building that houses a furniture and antiques store and blew out the back wall plywood and twisted metal covered the grass outside cabinets and other knickknacks in the store’s inventory Many shops and businesses along the tree limb-covered sidewalks of the downtown area appeared unscathed But a few had shattered storefront windows and mangled awnings Electricity was out across the city and traffic moved slowly on many roads with stoplights blacked out and trees blocking several streets an independent nonprofit health care watchdog group The latest ratings reflect care during the COVID-19 pandemic The Leapfrog Group said its and other groups’ research showed the pandemic reversed years of progress in patient safety The pandemic has had a negative effect on “health care delivery at every level and setting, from staffing shortages to increased infections to the very care patients receive,” according to the Patient Experience During the Pandemic: Adult Inpatient Care report also released Tuesday by The Leapfrog Group “The health care workforce has faced unprecedented levels of pressure during the pandemic patients' experience with their care appears to have suffered,” Leapfrog Group president and CEO Leah Binder said in a news release “We commend the workforce for their heroic efforts these past few years and now strongly urge hospital leadership to recommit to improved care — from communication to responsiveness — and get back on track with patient safety outcomes.” 107 hospitals received a "C" grade and 19 hospitals received a "D" grade Here are the rankings The letter grades assigned to nearly 3,000 U.S general hospitals were based on more than 30 measures of patient safety Leapfrog says its hospital rating system is the only one in the country focusing solely on a hospital’s ability to protect patients from preventable errors Included in the 30 are five that research has shown to directly affect patient outcomes but can be improved with greater communication between caregivers and patients — the number of central line-associated bloodstream infections catheter-associated urinary tract infections MRSA (Staphylococcus) blood laboratory-identified events and facility-wide inpatient diarrhea events When there’s communication about medications that can lead to fewer hospitalizations for conditions such as sepsis and blood clots and decreases in the incidence of respiratory failure a panel of medical experts selected 30 evidence-based measures of patient safety such as postoperative sepsis They then determined the weight of each measure based on evidence opportunity for improvement and patient impact Data on each measure was collected through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Information from the Leapfrog Hospital Survey Leapfrog does not assign grades to military or Veterans Administration hospitals children’s hospitals or outpatient surgery centers The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade methodology has been peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Patient Safety The full methodology for the 2022 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is available online Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. This is a developing weather story. Please click here for the latest updates Winter Storm Helena is expected to bring feet of snow to portions of the West through midweek and then may turn its snowy and icy sights on parts of the South late this week into the weekend (INTERACTIVE: Helena Snowfall Tracker) With the calendar now saying January, colder temperatures are taking hold of a large portion of the Lower 48 states it remains too soon to pinpoint snow or ice forecast accumulations for any particular locations in the South This is common uncertainty several days prior to this type of event keep in mind the forecast you see on weather.com or on The Weather Channel or the Weather Underground app will likely change over the next few days so be sure to check back often for the latest updates (MORE: How Winter Storms Are Named | Winter Storm Central) A piece of Helena is also expected to bring light snow from the central Plains to parts of the East later this week the weather system responsible for this will pummel the West with heavy snow through midweek then cover the potential Southern wintry threat Winter storm warnings are in effect for a sizable swath of the West from the Siskiyous and Sierra of California to the high country of southern Wyoming and Colorado Over two feet of snow has already been reported in Bly Soda Springs measured 30 inches as of Wednesday morning and 27 inches was reported near Incline Village Here's our forecast timing in the West: Snowfall amounts will be measured in multiple feet in the Sierra of California and well over a foot is likely through early Friday in the Wasatch and Rockies of Colorado and far southern Wyoming Adjacent low elevations of the Great Basin are likely to pick up at least 3 inches of snow (CITIES: Reno, Nevada | Boise, Idaho | Salt Lake City | Denver) A piece of the energy associated with Helena will slide east ahead of the main system late this week Light snow from this disturbance will move into the central Plains beginning Wednesday night and will then slide east through the mid-Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians Thursday This area of light snow is then expected to impact the mid-Atlantic and southern New England Thursday night into Friday Snowfall accumulations will generally be in the 1 to 3 inch range with this disturbance the timing of the snowfall could cause problems as light snow may still be falling during the Friday morning commute in portions of the Northeast Jet stream energy responsible for the heavy snow in the West will then make its way to the South and East later this week If a decent surface low-pressure system forms in response to that energy this could enhance the potential for wintry weather a more progressive and moisture-starved system with a weak surface low would decrease the odds Forecast guidance is beginning to narrow the uncertainty regarding the Southern wintry threat It is becoming more probable at least some snow or ice will occur in parts of the Southeast late this week (MORE: Five Things To Know About Wintry Weather in the South) Friday into Saturday is when the South has the potential to see snow or ice accumulations as upper-level energy and at least a weak surface low glide through the region Our most recent forecast maps in the South for Friday night and Saturday are shown below illustrating the areas that could see snow or mixed precipitation Those locations would also be in play for possible accumulations (FORECASTS: Atlanta | Nashville | Raleigh) this forecast will likely change in the coming days as guidance zeroes in on a common scenario Below is a general snowfall outlook indicating where snowfall accumulation appears most likely at this time As we get closer tot his event and models come into better agreement we will be able to provide more specifics on snow and ice accumulation there is no need to change any plans for later this week given the lingering uncertainty the potential exists for difficult winter driving conditions in parts of the South beginning Friday Check back with us at weather.com for the latest updates on this potential wintry mess We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview This is a developing weather story. Please click here for the latest updates (INTERACTIVE: Helena Snowfall Tracker) With the calendar now saying January, colder temperatures are taking hold of a large portion of the Lower 48 states (MORE: How Winter Storms Are Named | Winter Storm Central) (CITIES: Reno, Nevada | Boise, Idaho | Salt Lake City | Denver) (MORE: Five Things To Know About Wintry Weather in the South) (FORECASTS: Atlanta | Nashville | Raleigh) as guidance zeroes in on a common scenario.  Cool rocks and gemstones have been my jam since I was a little kid Every family road trip would have me scouring the roadsides for "Rock Shop" signs or anything of the like One thing I never had the chance to do was actually mine for my own treasures My folks were surprisingly tolerant about stopping at every rock shop I noticed but doing the work of washing buckets over a screen and such was never something we did There are several places throughout Montana where you can do this Philipsburg, MT: Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine - 21 Sapphire Gulch Lane at mile marker 38.4 of Montana Highway 38, Skalkaho Pass Road, between Hamilton and Philipsburg. You can make a reservation to visit the mine and wash through gravel to find your own Montana sapphires They provide all the equipment you'll need and guidance on what you're looking for (The $40 reservation prepays for your first gravel bucket and reserves your equipment You can then add more buckets if you want to.) Butte, MT: Butte Mineral and Gem Club - Obviously this is a club, not a mine itself, but they DO have field-trips throughout the year to mines across the state they're a knowledgeable bunch who also host the Butte Mineral Show at the Civic Center getting involved with this club might be the perfect avenue for more regular involvement in all things gems Emerald Creek Garnet Area near St. Maries, Idaho - OK this one is in Idaho but it's worth a look if you're willing to road trip But here's the lowdown on mining your own gemstones in this remote location: "Emerald Creek Garnet Area is a federal site that opens every year on Memorial Day weekend for organized mining People from around the world come to this remote corner of Idaho to hopefully find their own ruby-red gem." West Yellowstone, MT: Yellowstone Gemstone Mining Company - 105 South Faithful Street West Yellowstone. This is way more of a tourist place the 'mining' is great for little kids whereas the other options listed aren't really kid-friendly at all There are other activities here which are more of the focus such as zipline Helena, MT: The Montana Blue Jewel Mine - 5582 Four Cees Road You absolutely must have reservations to dig here so make sure you call ahead Cash only and only 3 sapphire gravel screening stations are set up Latest cost info says 6 screened 5-gallon buckets costs $100 This one is NOT a touristy kind of place and you'll need to be prepared to be out in the elements Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf Gallery Credit: mwolfe Cool rocks and gemstones have been my jam since I was a little kid. Every family road trip would have me scouring the roadsides for \"Rock Shop\" signs or anything of the like.\nRead More Philipsburg, MT: Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine - 21 Sapphire Gulch Lane at mile marker 38.4 of Montana Highway 38, Skalkaho Pass Road, between Hamilton and Philipsburg. You can make a reservation to visit the mine and wash through gravel to find your own Montana sapphires Butte, MT: Butte Mineral and Gem Club - Obviously this is a club, not a mine itself, but they DO have field-trips throughout the year to mines across the state Emerald Creek Garnet Area near St. Maries, Idaho - OK West Yellowstone, MT: Yellowstone Gemstone Mining Company - 105 South Faithful Street Helena, MT: The Montana Blue Jewel Mine - 5582 Four Cees Road Open in NewsBreak|Sign inChoose your location According to the Zillow Home Value Index Montana’s real estate landscape reveals fascinating patterns of affordability and growth You’ll find that Montana’s most affordable neighborhoods have experienced remarkable appreciation over the last 15 years with average home values increasing by 127% since 2010 you’ll notice a striking pattern—Billings dominates the affordability rankings with 7 of the most affordable neighborhoods in Montana the standout growth champion is Missoula’s Franklin to the Fort neighborhood where property values have surged by an astonishing 168% since 2010 showcasing the dynamic nature of Montana’s regional housing markets You’ll be particularly interested to discover that even in these relatively affordable areas the most budget-friendly neighborhood (Southside in Billings) now averages $233,170—highlighting the significant upward pressure on housing costs throughout Montana in recent years with average values jumping 60% since 2020 alone Perched at the top of our affordability rankings Missoula’s Emma Dickinson Orchard Homes area showcases western Montana’s remarkable growth story You’ll be astounded by this neighborhood’s exceptional appreciation with values surging nearly 164% since 2010—the second-highest long-term growth rate on our list—and an impressive 72% just since 2020 Extending into Helena’s northwestern valley with dramatic mountain backdrops the Helena Valley Northwest area combines rural character with city proximity You’ll find this neighborhood has experienced impressive growth with property values increasing 130% since 2010 and nearly 66% since 2020 Despite approaching the $500,000 threshold the area remains relatively affordable compared to similar semi-rural settings in other Montana regions The Euclid Avenue South neighborhood stretches through Helena’s central corridor You’ll discover this area has maintained solid but slightly more moderate growth compared to other Helena neighborhoods with values increasing nearly 120% since 2010 and 59% since 2020 Sprawling through Helena’s western valley the Helena Valley West Central neighborhood offers you spacious living with mountain views You’ll find this area has experienced robust growth with property values climbing 140% since 2010 and nearly 66% just since 2020 Flanking the Clark Fork River on Missoula’s western side the Westside neighborhood showcases western Montana’s explosive growth You’ll be struck by this area’s remarkable appreciation with values skyrocketing 156% since 2010 and 70% just since 2020—among the highest rates on our list it remains one of Missoula’s more accessible neighborhoods in a city where affordability has become increasingly challenging The Southeast neighborhood of Helena sits near the upper end of our affordability rankings You’ll find this area has performed admirably with home values increasing 131% since 2010 and 65% since 2020 Stretching toward the mountains on Helena’s western flank the Helena West Side neighborhood combines natural beauty with relative affordability You’ll discover this area has experienced impressive appreciation with property values surging 146% since 2010 and nearly 69% just since 2020 Nestled at the mouth of Hellgate Canyon just east of Missoula East Missoula provides you with a compelling balance of accessibility and value You’ll be impressed by this area’s remarkable growth story with home values soaring nearly 150% since 2010 and 70% just since 2020 Spreading across Billings’ expanding western edge the West End neighborhood offers you suburban comfort at a moderate price point You’ll find this area has maintained steady if unspectacular growth compared to other Montana neighborhoods with values increasing about 106% since 2010 and a relatively modest 45% since 2020 Missoula’s Franklin to the Fort neighborhood boasts the highest 15-year appreciation rate on our entire list at a staggering 168% You’ll be amazed by this area’s transformation with property values more than doubling since 2015 and surging nearly 73% just since 2020 The North neighborhood of Helena offers you a compelling blend of mountain views and relative value You’ll find this area has experienced solid growth with home values increasing 117% since 2010 and accelerating significantly with a 62% jump just since 2020 The North Central area of Billings presents you with a centrally located option that marks the midpoint of our affordability rankings You’ll notice this neighborhood has maintained consistent but moderate growth compared to other areas on our list with a 106% increase since 2010 and a more modest 45% appreciation since 2020 the Northside neighborhood offers you an urban living experience at a relatively affordable price point You’ll find this area has experienced remarkable appreciation with values increasing an eye-catching 153% since 2010—nearly triple the growth rate of some Billings neighborhoods The area’s 70% surge just since 2020 ranks among the highest short-term growth rates in Montana Positioned just east of Missoula along the Blackfoot River Bonner-West Riverside marks Missoula’s entry into our affordability rankings You’ll be impressed by this area’s exceptional recent growth with property values surging nearly 79% just since 2020—one of the highest five-year growth rates on our list Rising above the Yellowstone Valley in northeastern Billings the Heights neighborhood approaches the midpoint of our affordability list You’ll discover this well-established community has maintained solid appreciation from mid-century ranches to newer developments all while maintaining an average price point below $400,000 making it attractive for families seeking more space without sacrificing affordability in Montana’s largest city Helena’s Central neighborhood combines historic charm with comparative value You’ll find this area has experienced tremendous growth with a 133% increase since 2010 and a remarkable 67% jump just since 2020—the third highest five-year growth rate among our top 25 neighborhoods the West neighborhood offers you exceptional long-term growth potential combined with relative affordability You’ll be impressed by this area’s remarkable 137% value increase since 2010—among the highest appreciation rates on our list The neighborhood continues to show strong momentum with a 63% jump since 2020 demonstrating Helena’s increasing desirability The Euclid Avenue North area of Helena represents Montana’s capital city’s most affordable neighborhood You’ll be intrigued by this area’s impressive performance with property values surging 131% since 2010—significantly outpacing Billings’ affordable neighborhoods you’ll notice the remarkable 66% growth just since 2020 indicating Helena’s strengthening real estate market Lockwood marks the beginning of the lower third of our affordability rankings You’ll find this community has appreciated substantially with home values increasing nearly 112% since 2010 The area has maintained consistent growth momentum showcasing its enduring appeal as a slightly more affordable alternative to central Billings neighborhoods while still offering proximity to the city’s amenities The Highlands area of Billings offers you an elevated residential experience at a relatively affordable price point You’ll discover that this neighborhood has maintained steady appreciation with values increasing by nearly 105% since 2010 with the neighborhood gaining 47% in value since 2020—a significant increase that nonetheless trails some of Montana’s fastest-appreciating areas potentially indicating room for continued growth in this established Billings community North Elevation sits comfortably in the affordable range of Montana neighborhoods You’ll find this area has seen property values more than double since 2010 you’ll note that this neighborhood has experienced more modest recent growth compared to other affordable areas with a 44% appreciation since 2020—the lowest five-year increase among the top 25 Situated along Billings’ southwestern edge the Southwest Corridor offers you remarkable value with homes averaging just over $313,000 You’ll appreciate that this neighborhood has demonstrated consistent growth with values climbing nearly 113% over the past 15 years The area has particularly flourished since 2020 with a robust 54% increase that outpaces many other neighborhoods on this list The Central-Terry district in Billings stands as the third most affordable neighborhood in Montana You’ll find this centrally located area has experienced substantial growth with home values rising nearly 108% since 2010 you’ll discover properties that have appreciated by almost 50% in just the last five years demonstrating the area’s increasing desirability while still maintaining relative affordability in Montana’s competitive housing market North Park offers you an affordable housing alternative with average values just over $250,000 You’ll notice this neighborhood has shown the most modest long-term growth among Montana’s affordable areas with a 98% increase since 2010—the only neighborhood below the 100% threshold the area has maintained healthy appreciation with nearly 49% growth since 2020 Located in the southern section of Billings in Yellowstone County Southside claims the title of Montana’s most affordable neighborhood You’ll find this area has shown remarkable resilience and growth with property values more than doubling since 2010 Despite being the lowest-priced neighborhood in the state Southside has maintained a strong appreciation trajectory The post Updated Data Reveals the 25 Most Affordable Neighborhoods to Buy a House in Montana (as of April 2025) appeared first on Home Stratosphere The post 25 Most Expensive Towns In Colorado Where Real Estate Prices Keep Breaking Records (According to May 2025 Data) appeared first on Home Stratosphere best known for his big-screen debut in the critically acclaimed box office hit 79: From 'Pollyanna' to 'Parent Trap,' Bulemia Money Matters & MoreBeloved former child star Hayley Mills best known for classic feature films like Pollyanna the the youngest daughter of renowned actor Sir John Mills (Great Expectations) The post 10 Secluded Towns in Southeast Georgia Provide Unique Escapes appeared first on Home Stratosphere Is Related to 'Leave It To Beaver's' Barbara BillingsleyFormer child star Peter Billingsley is a cousin by marriage to Leave It To BeaverTV icon Barbara Billingsley Best known for his role as Ralphie Parker in the 1983 classic feature film Some of his feature films include Marvel superhero movies like Iron Man Willie Nelson is Now 92Country music superstar Willie Nelson His grandfather taught him to play the guitar Nelson was performing his own compositions at local dances we’d suggest not trying to skirt the rules when it comes to bringing alcohol onto the ship if you are sailing Carnival Doing so could mean you can’t sail with the line anymore The legendary performer died from pneumonia at Jefferson Abington Hospital a mere three weeks before what would have been his 80th birthday of Spacious Living – 4 Bedrooms + Must See Floor Plan Price: $2,395,000 | Bedrooms: 4 | Baths: 5 | Sq Ft.: 5,462 | Property: 0.56 Acres The post Discover 5,462 Sq of Spacious Living – 4 Bedrooms + Must See Floor Plan appeared first on Home Stratosphere Some people are broke because they don't earn enough Others stay broke because they keep spending like they’re trying to prove something The post 25 Hidden Gem Suburbs in Arizona Where Homes Still Start Under $350K in 2025 appeared first on Home Stratosphere 3 Bedroom Home with Mountain Views – See the Floor Plan Sq Ft.: 2,493 | Bedrooms: 3 | Bathrooms: 2.5 The post Introducing a 2,493 Sq 3 Bedroom Home with Mountain Views – See the Floor Plan appeared first on Home Stratosphere The post 10 Secluded Towns Perfect for Serene Retreats in Eastern Massachusetts appeared first on Home Stratosphere analysis showsAn analysis by the National Alliance to End Homelessness shows that as many as 9 million people could become homeless if the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development ends rental assistance the Trump administration has promoted drilling mining and development of public lands while undercutting the science scientists and laws that protect the environmental fabric of the West The president maintains he is pursuing his agenda in the name of national security and a better life for Americans The post 16 Best Towns to Retire in New Jersey - New 2025 Data 2025 Reveals Hidden Gems for Senior Living appeared first on Home Stratosphere The post 5 of the Most Expensive Houses Currently on the Market in California (May 2025) appeared first on Home Stratosphere The post Explore This Spectacular North Texas Estate with Basketball Court Resort-Style Pool and 4-Car Garage appeared first on Home Stratosphere the US State Department has issued urgent travel advisories to US residents about a Mexican destination that is popular with US tourists: Los Cabos / Cabo San Lucas/La Paz in Baja California Sur