HAZARDOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement
Effective from 10-09 11:38 until 10-10 08:00
HLSFFC
This product covers North and Central Georgia
**TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS ISSUED FOR WEST-CENTRAL GEORGIA**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
Warning for Chattahoochee, Harris, Heard, Macon, Marion,
Meriwether, Muscogee, Pike, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot,
Taylor, Troup, Upson, and Webster
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Chattahoochee,
Harris, Heard, Macon, Marion, Meriwether, Muscogee, Pike,
Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Troup, Upson, and
Webster
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 450 miles south-southwest of Atlanta GA or about 360
miles south-southwest of Columbus GA
- 27.7N 87.3W
- Storm Intensity 120 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 16 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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As of 11 AM ET, Hurricane Isaias was located in the northern Gulf with
maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, moving NNE at 16 mph. Isaias is
forecast to accelerate towards the northern Gulf Coast this evening
into early Saturday, and begin bringing widespread and potentially
significant impacts to North and Central Georgia. These include a
prolonged period of strong winds, heavy rainfall with localized
flooding, and the potential for several tornadoes. Impacts will peak
in intensity Saturday into Saturday night as Isaias moves northward
across Mississippi/Alabama and into the Tennessee Valley.
The wind field associated with Isaias is expected to expand
considerably as the system moves inland and becomes extra-tropical.
Strong winds will extend well east of the center of the storm and into
West-Central Georgia. A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for
this area where wind gusts to 50 mph will be possible. Further north
and east, while Isaias will be weakening and becoming post- tropical,
there will be a very strong pressure gradient between the system and
strong high pressure over the Mid-Atlantic. This gradient will support
a prolonged period of strong easterly winds with frequent gusts to
40 to 50 mph across most of North Georgia from tonight through early
Sunday. A High Wind Warning has been issued for this area. Areas to
the south and east of these warnings have been placed in a Wind
Advisory where winds will be weaker, but still have gusts to 40 mph.
Across all areas, the prolonged and strong winds could lead to power
outages from downed limbs and trees, especially when combined with
saturated soils from periods of heavy rain.
Isaias will bring widespread rainfall, with multiple bands of heavy
rain expected tonight through early Sunday. Widespread rainfall totals
of 1 to 4 inches are likely across much of the area, with a localized
swath of up to 8 inches where the heaviest banding sets up. This
rainfall could lead to localized flash flooding, particularly in urban
and poor-drainge areas, as well as flood-prone creeks and streams. A
Flood Watch has been issued for the entire area.
Additionally, as Isaias tracks northward and inland late tonight into
Saturday, a favorable environment for tornadoes will develop across
North and Central Georgia, and continue through Saturday night.
Several tornadoes will be possible, particularly within the outer
rainbands of the system. Tornadoes from tropical systems are typically
quick to develop and short-lived, but with the forward speed of the
system and the unique setup, we can't rule out a stronger (EF2 or
EF3), long-track tornado, especially across Central Georgia.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
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* WIND:
Protect against hazardous winds having possible significant impacts
across Notrh and Central Georgia. Potential impacts in this area
include:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Numerous power and communications outages.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across North and Central Georgia. Potential
impacts include:
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals,
arroyos, and ditches overflow.
- Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across North and Central Georgia. Potential impacts include:
- The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots
of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile
homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or
uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.
Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
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* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.
Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles
can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.
It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an
emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.
If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which
it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay
attention for instructions from local authorities.
Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!
If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on creating an emergency plan see ready.ga.gov
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Peachtree City GA around 5 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
Visit the NWS site for more information.
Flood Watch
Effective from 10-09 11:19 until 10-11 08:00
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be
possible.
* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, north central,
northeast, northwest, southeast, and west central Georgia,
including the following areas, in central Georgia, Baldwin, Bibb,
Bleckley, Butts, Crawford, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Jasper,
Jones, Laurens, Monroe, Montgomery, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam,
Telfair, Twiggs, Wheeler, Wilcox and Wilkinson. In east central
Georgia, Emanuel, Glascock, Greene, Hancock, Jefferson, Johnson,
Taliaferro, Treutlen, Warren, Washington and Wilkes. In north
central Georgia, Barrow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Dawson, DeKalb,
Douglas, Fannin, Fayette, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry,
Lumpkin, Morgan, Newton, North Fulton, Pickens, Rockdale, South
Fulton, Union and Walton. In northeast Georgia, Banks, Clarke,
Jackson, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Towns and White. In northwest
Georgia, Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon,
Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Walker and Whitfield. In
southeast Georgia, Toombs. In west central Georgia, Chattahoochee,
Coweta, Harris, Heard, Lamar, Macon, Marion, Meriwether, Muscogee,
Pike, Schley, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Troup,
Upson and Webster.
* WHEN...From late tonight through Sunday morning.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Hurricane Isaias is expected to bring rounds of heavy rainfall to
the area tonight through early Sunday. Widespread totals of 1 to
4 inches are expected with a localized swath of up to 8 inches
where the heaviest bands set up and train. With high rainfall
rates and the potential for repeated rounds of heavy rain in
bands, flash flooding is expected. The locations most at risk are
poor drainage and urban areas, as well as creeks and streams
prone to flash flooding.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Visit the NWS site for more information.
High Wind Warning
Effective from 10-09 11:02 until 10-11 08:00
* WHAT...East winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.
Stronger gusts are possible in the higher elevations of the north
Georgia mountains.
* WHERE...Portions of north central, northeast, northwest, and west
central Georgia.
* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 8 AM EDT Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.
Visit the NWS site for more information.