[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 45
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA  AL112017
732 AM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017

This product covers NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA

**A Tropical Storm Warning in Effect for Much of North and Central
Georgia**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Baldwin, Barrow, Bibb, Bleckley, Carroll,
      Chattahoochee, Clarke, Cobb, Crawford, Crisp, DeKalb, Dodge,
      Dooly, Douglas, Emanuel, Glascock, Gwinnett, Haralson, Harris,
      Houston, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Laurens, Macon,
      Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Muscogee, Newton,
      North Fulton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pulaski,
      Rockdale, Schley, South Fulton, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot,
      Taylor, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Twiggs, Walton, Washington,
      Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkes, and Wilkinson
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Banks, Catoosa,
      Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Hall, Lumpkin, Murray, Towns,
      Union, Walker, White, and Whitfield
    - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Bartow, Chattooga,
      Cherokee, Floyd, Forsyth, Gordon, Pickens, and Polk

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baldwin, Barrow,
      Bartow, Bibb, Bleckley, Carroll, Chattahoochee, Chattooga,
      Cherokee, Clarke, Cobb, Crawford, Crisp, DeKalb, Dodge, Dooly,
      Douglas, Emanuel, Floyd, Forsyth, Glascock, Gordon, Gwinnett,
      Haralson, Harris, Houston, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones,
      Laurens, Macon, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan,
      Muscogee, Newton, North Fulton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding,
      Peach, Pickens, Polk, Pulaski, Rockdale, Schley, South Fulton,
      Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen,
      Twiggs, Walton, Washington, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkes,
      and Wilkinson
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Banks, Catoosa, Dade,
      Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Hall, Lumpkin, Murray, Towns, Union,
      Walker, White, and Whitfield

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 690 miles south-southeast of Atlanta GA or about 610
      miles south-southeast of Columbus GA
    - 24.1N 81.5W
    - Storm Intensity 130 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 8 mph

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

Hurricane Irma continues as a major hurricane, centered less than 100
miles southeast of Key West, Florida. Official National Hurricane
Center track has Irma crossing the Lower Florida Keys early this
morning and then tracking up the west coast of Florida this afternoon
through Monday Morning. Irma should move inland over the Florida
panhandle and southwestern Georgia by Monday afternoon. Irma will
remain a powerful hurricane as it approaches the Florida Keys and moves
up the west coast of Florida.

As Irma 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. Isolated tornadoes will be possible,
especially over portions of east central Georgia. 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:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across north and central Georgia. Potential impacts in this area
include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
      fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.

Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across north and central Georgia.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across north and central Georgia. Potential impacts
include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become
      dangerous rivers. In mountain areas, destructive runoff may run
      quickly down valleys while increasing susceptibility to
      rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers
      may become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
      Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
      underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
      Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts across north and central Georgia.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
east 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.

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

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to bring to completion all preparations to protect
life and property in accordance with your emergency plan.

Outside preparations should be wrapped up as soon as possible before
weather conditions completely deteriorate.

Keep cell phones well charged and handy. Locate your chargers and keep
them with your cell phone.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Be ready to adapt to 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 Noon, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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