(WGHP) — Hurricane Helene has weakened and is now Tropical Storm Helene, according to the National Hurricane Center's latest advisory. Tropical Storm Helene is currently making its way inland over Georgia as it is moving north at 30 mph. It is currently about 100 miles southeast of Atlanta. TRACKING THE TROPICS | Track storms and see the latest satellite imagery from the Tropics on MyFOX8.com. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph with possible gusts higher than that. Life-threatening storm surges, winds and heavy rains are still factors to be considered with Helene. Use the interactive radar below to track the weather. Thank you for your patience while it loads. Heavy rainfall has already struck western North Carolina with multiple storms bringing more than a foot of rain to the region. Helene is expected to continue to weaken as it continues north over Georgia before turning northwestward and slowing down over the Tennessee Valley between Friday and Saturday. The NHC projects that Helene will become a post-tropical low either Friday afternoon or on Friday night. However, the speed of the storm will cause strong damaging winds to strike inland, particularly in the mountain areas of North Carolina and the rest of the southern Appalachians. Helene's tropical storm-force winds extend outward up 275 miles east of the storm's center. Track the weather yourself using the FOX8 Interactive Radar A wind gust of 75 mph was recorded at a Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina. As stated earlier, flooding remains a significant risk in western North Carolina and surrounding areas with expected total rain accumulations of 6 to 12 inches and possible isolated totals as high as 20 inches. Catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash flooding remains a possibility in western North Carolina as well as significant river flooding and landslides. As can be seen in the above image, the highest risks of flooding from Helene are in western North Carolina with high changes of at least 70% in the region. Tornadoes also remain a possibility from Friday morning into the afternoon in the Carolinas. The tornado threat also exists in eastern Georgia and southern Virginia. Tornado risks Surf swells will also remain a significant threat on the coasts of both Carolinas throughout the weekend likely causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. North Carolina Forecast Helene continues to zip northward through upstate Georgia this morning.  While its winds have diminished substantially to tropical storm strength, its forward motion remains fast, at 30 mph. Helene will continue to weaken, then turn toward the northwest once it passes by the tip of the North Carolina mountains, later this afternoon. There are a couple of watches in effect for the FOX8 viewing area:  Flood Watch and Wind Advisory, both until 6 p.m. today.  We may have a tornado watch issued later this morning as rainbands sweep across the Piedmont. Between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., please avoid being out and about. We are expecting that to be the timeframe when severe weather conditions will be at their peak. Heavy rain, winds gusting between 40 and 50 mph, and isolated tornadoes are all possible during the mid-to late-morning hours and it may be dangerous to travel.  Widespread power outages are also a concern with these rain bands. By lunchtime, winds will begin to diminish and rain becomes lighter and more scattered.  By this afternoon, we'll have some peeks of sunshine with highs close to 80°.  It will be partly cloudy overnight with lows in the lower-60s. Saturday is going to be beautiful, with partly cloudy skies and highs near 80°.  Help out your neighbors if there is storm damage! As the new work week begins, showers will re-enter the forecast courtesy of a persistent low off the coast of southeastern Virginia.  There is a 40% chance of rain Sunday through Tuesday, though high temperatures are going to remain steadily between 78° and 80°. A cold front is going to sweep the wet weather out and usher in beautiful, autumn weather for Wednesday and Thursday.  As high pressure builds in, we will be enjoying mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with highs in the upper-70s Wednesday, and mid-70s Thursday