WEATHER ALERT UPDATE: Gov. Kemp issues Executive Order in advance of Hurricane Isaias

Flooding, high winds, spin off tornadoes possible in the local area this weekend

Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp today issued an updated State of Emergency for all 159 counties in preparation for Hurricane Isaias. The new Executive Order enables emergency management teams to make necessary arrangements and position needed resources ahead of the storm’s impact and has directed the activation of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) State Operations Center (SOC) beginning early Friday afternoon.

“As we always do with weather events, we’re hoping for the best but preparing for the worst,” Kemp said in a press release announcing the Executive Order. “I encourage all Georgians to take this storm seriously and prepare now by stocking up on food, batteries, flashlights, water, and other necessities in case of severe weather impacting communities Friday night through Saturday.”

Forecasters expect Isaias to make landfall on the Gulf Coast Friday evening, with potential impact to the state continuing through Saturday. Impacts could include strong wind gusts and heavy rain throughout the state, potentially leading to spin-off tornadoes, downed trees and power lines, flooding, and other effects.

Residents across Walton County and much of northeast and north-central Georgia should prepare for a potentially hazardous weather pattern beginning late Friday and continuing through Sunday morning due to impacts from Hurricane Isaias.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a Flood Watch from late Friday night through Sunday morning for Walton, Gwinnett and numerous surrounding counties. A High Wind Watch is also in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday morning for the area.

Local Walton County Emergency Management officials began making preparations for any potential impacts from weather conditions with a meeting at noon as concerns continue to increase for potential impacts from Isaías across North & Central GA. These include the potential for:

• Long duration of gusty winds
• Heavy rain / localized flooding
• Tornadoes

The City of Monroe felt it was safer for vendors and visitors to cancel the Fall Festival scheduled for Saturday. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts going forward it will not be rescheduled this year.

Now is the time to review your preparedness plans and stay informed as the forecast evolves.

Flood threat:
Heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Isaias is expected to move across Georgia in multiple rounds from late Friday through early Sunday. The National Weather Service expects widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches, with localized amounts of up to 5 inches.

High rainfall rates and repeated bands of heavy rain could produce flash flooding, particularly in:

• Low-lying and flood-prone areas
• Urban areas with poor drainage
• Creeks and streams prone to rapid rises
• Areas that receive repeated rounds of heavy rainfall

The Flood Watch includes Walton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Newton, Rockdale, Hall, Jackson, Madison, Clarke, Oconee, Morgan and numerous other surrounding counties.

High wind threat:
The High Wind Watch covers Saturday morning through Sunday morning. East winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, are possible.

The strongest winds could:

• Bring down trees and power lines
• Cause widespread power outages
• Make travel difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles

Timing at a glance

• Late Friday night: Flood threat begins as heavy rain moves into the region.
• Saturday: Heavy rain continues, with the greatest combination of flooding and strong-wind concerns.
• Saturday night into Sunday morning: Flooding and high-wind threats continue.
• Sunday morning: Current watches expire, although residents should continue monitoring updated forecasts.

Residents should monitor updated forecasts and be alert for Flood Warnings and possible additional weather alerts. Those in areas that typically flood should be prepared to take action if water begins rising.

Important: A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flooding; it does not mean flooding is occurring everywhere in the watch area. Similarly, a High Wind Watch means conditions are favorable for potentially damaging winds, but the exact timing and severity can still change.

For Walton County residents, the combination of 1–3 inches of rain, locally higher amounts, saturated drainage areas and wind gusts approaching 50 mph could create problems with downed trees, power outages, ponding water and rapidly rising creeks and streams.