Weather Alert Update: Tropical Storm Watch added; Flash Flood Watch issued for local area

Update

**Tropical Storm Zeta is expected to impact north and central Georgia late Wednesday into Thursday.* –

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for several counties, including Gwinnett and Walton Counties.

CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: –

STORM INFORMATION: – About 840 miles south-southwest of Atlanta GA or about 750 miles south-southwest of Columbus GA – 22.7N 90.3W – Storm Intensity 65 mph – Movement Northwest or 310 degrees at 14 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW Tropical Storm Zeta is moving northwest and is expected to turn northeast on Wednesday morning and quickly move onto the southeast Louisiana coast Wednesday evening. Zeta will then weaken as it moves inland. Winds in our area will increase from west to east as the center of the remnants of Zeta move across the region. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 25-35 mph range with gusts as high as 45 mph. Furthermore, the outermost rain bands are expected to push northward through Georgia tonight and rain bands will continue to impact the forecast area through Thursday afternoon. Rainfall totals are expected to range from 2 to 4 inches, with some locally higher amounts possible.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA. Potential impacts 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. – Scattered power and communications outages.

FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across north 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. Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across north Georgia. Elsewhere across CENTRAL GEORGIA, little to no impact is anticipated.

TORNADOES: Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across west-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 check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.

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

Initial Weather Alert

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood alert for several counties in Georgia, including Walton and surrounding counties. The Flash Flood Watch is in effect from tomorrow morning, Wednesday, Oct. 28 to Thursday evening, Oct. 29.

From Wednesday morning through Thursday evening Periods of heavy rainfall are expected across the area with the rain bands associated with Tropical Storm Zeta as it weakens and tracks across the forecast area Wednesday night through Thursday. Associated rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches are expected on average across north and northwest Georgia with locally higher amounts possible where heavy rain bands persist for prolonged periods of time.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.