[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 43
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA  AL112017
548 PM EDT Sat Sep 9 2017

This product covers NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA

**Tropical Storm Watch Now In Effect For Much of Central Georgia**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Bibb, Bleckley,
      Chattahoochee, Crawford, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Emanuel, Harris,
      Houston, Johnson, Laurens, Macon, Marion, Montgomery, Muscogee,
      Peach, Pulaski, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor,
      Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Twiggs, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox,
      and Wilkinson

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Bibb, Bleckley,
      Chattahoochee, Crawford, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Emanuel, Harris,
      Houston, Johnson, Laurens, Macon, Marion, Montgomery, Muscogee,
      Peach, Pulaski, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor,
      Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Twiggs, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox,
      and Wilkinson

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 750 miles south-southeast of Atlanta GA or about 680
      miles south-southeast of Columbus GA
    - 23.4N 80.5W
    - Storm Intensity 125 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 295 degrees at 9 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Hurricane Irma continues as a major hurricane, centered just north of
the coast of Cuba. Official National Hurricane Center track has Irma
starting its track northward and strengthening slightly before making
landfall along the west coast of Florida. The storm will then pick up
speed as it continues north into portions of south central Georgia as a
weakening category one hurricane.

As it moves into Central Georgia, portions of the watch area can
expect tropical storm force winds beginning late Sunday night. During
the day Monday, the greatest impacts will be felt with winds increasing
to 40 to 50 mph with gusts as high as 70 mph along and east of the
center of the storm track.

Because of the wet spring and early summer, the forecasted wind speeds
will easily bring trees down across the area which will also lead to
widespread power outages. Residents should be prepared in some cases to
be without power for several days and stock up on supplies
accordingly. Tropical storm force winds are expected to move out of the
area late Monday night.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across portions of Central Georgia. Potential impacts in this area
include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
      Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
      access routes impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across portions of Central Georgia.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
portions of Central Georgia. Potential impacts include:
    - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
      and communications disruptions.
    - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
      toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned,
      large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees
      knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats
      pulled from moorings.

Elsewhere across NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA, little to no impact is
anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across portions of 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, 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.

Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across portions of Central Georgia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and take necessary
actions to secure your home or business. Deliberate efforts should be
underway to protect life and property. Ensure that your Emergency
Supplies Kit is stocked and ready.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track as there are inherent forecast uncertainties
which must be taken into account.

If you live in a place that is particularly vulnerable to high wind,
such as a mobile home, an upper floor of a high rise building, or on
a boat, plan to move to safe shelter. Take enough supplies for you
and your family for several days.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low lying or poor
drainage area, in a valley or canyon, or near an already swollen
river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground

Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders
that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives
of others.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the
forecast.

* 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
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Peachtree City GA around 1130 PM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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