Cusseta, GA Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

This product covers North and Central Georgia

**TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FOR WEST-CENTRAL GEORGIA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None

* 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 240 miles south-southwest of Atlanta GA or about 140
miles southwest of Columbus GA
- 30.8N 86.5W
- Storm Intensity 90 mph
- Movement North or 5 degrees at 20 mph

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

Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, FL around 9:30 PM EDT.
As of 11 PM EDT, Hurricane Isaias was located over the western
Florida panhandle with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph, moving N
at 20 mph. The center of Isaias is forecast to move N to NW through
Alabama overnight and Saturday. Widespread and potentially
significant impacts to North and Central Georgia are anticipated on
the eastern side of Isaias. 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 continues into north
Alabama and into the Tennessee Valley.

The wind field associated with Isaias is expected to expand
considerably as the system moves further inland and becomes extra-
tropical. Strong winds will extend well east of the center of the
storm and into west Georgia. A Tropical Storm Warning remains in
effect for this area where wind gusts to 60 mph will be possible.
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 to the north and east of
the Tropical Storm Warning. This gradient will support a prolonged
period of strong easterly winds with frequent gusts to 40 to 60 mph
across most of North Georgia this afternoon into tonight. A High
Wind Warning is in effect for this area. Areas to the south and east
of these warnings have been placed in a Wind Advisory where winds
will be weaker, though gusts up to 40 mph will be possible. 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 2 to 4 inches are likely across much of the area. A
localized swath of as much as 8 inches will be possible where the
heaviest banding sets up. This rainfall could lead to flash
flooding, particularly in urban and poor-drainge areas, as well as
flood-prone creeks and streams. The north-south orientation of bands
may enhance river flooding along north south reaches. Training heavy
rain in the mountains may furthermore increase the risk of
landslides. A Flood Watch is in effect issued for the entire area,
as a result.

Additionally, as Isaias tracks northward and inland late tonight
into Saturday, a favorable environment for tornadoes will develop
first across Central Georgia, then advance into north Georgia by the
afternoon and evening. 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
-----------------

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
portions of north 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.
- Scattered power and communications outages.


* 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, canals, arroyos, 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.


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

* 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.

If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of
strong winds or flooding.

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
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Peachtree City GA around 5 AM, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Cusseta

* WIND
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind
- Peak Wind Forecast: 15-25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39
to 57 mph
- The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm
force.
- PREPARE: Efforts to protect property should be complete.
Prepare for limited wind damage.
- ACT: Act now to complete any last-minute preparations before
the wind becomes hazardous.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
- 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
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally
higher amounts

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for
moderate flooding rain
- The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from
the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues
are possible.
- PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area
vulnerable to flooding.
- ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take
action may result in serious injury or loss of life.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
- 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.

* TORNADO
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Situation is favorable for tornadoes

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for several
tornadoes
- The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
several tornadoes with a few possibly intense having larger
damage paths.
- PREPARE: Those living in manufactured homes or on boats
should prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous
weather arrives.
- ACT: Listen for tornado watches and warnings. If a tornado
warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
- 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.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- Family emergency plans: Federal Emergency Management Agency
- http://ready.gov/hurricanes
- Local weather conditions and forecasts:
- http://weather.gov/atlanta

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY
MORNING...

* 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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop.

&&