As of 2 pm Helene is a Tropical Depression with sustained wind at 35 miles per hour. The rain is gone and the winds will quickly decrease as Helene weakens and lifts to the north-northeast.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION - Mass of thunderstorms with a weak circulation, winds less than 39mph. TROPICAL STORM - An organized rotating storm with winds of 39-73 mph. At this stage storm receives a name.

March 21 years ago, when a non-tropical low transitioned into a tropical storm and then a hurricane before striking Brazil.

“The situation … remains very serious due to flash flooding and heavy winds, heavy rainfall ... s current strength is equivalent to a tropical depression in the Atlantic basin but its demotion ...