I don't think the winds ever got bad enough to call it class 5. The rain and the terrain was the real issue with Helene. These areas already had 2-3 days of rain before Helene came ashore, then were inundated with 10-30 inches of rain in such a short time. Top that off with the funneling effect of the mountains.
I don't think the winds ever got bad enough to call it class 5. The rain and the terrain was the real issue with Helene. These areas already had 2-3 days of rain before Helene came ashore, then were inundated with 10-30 inches of rain in such a short time. Top that off with the funneling effect of the mountains.