####018008161#### WTUS82 KFFC 291529 HLSFFC GAZ085-086-096>098-105>113-300000- Hurricane Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 12 National Weather Service Peachtree City GA AL102023 1129 AM EDT Tue Aug 29 2023 This product covers NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA **IDALIA IS EXPECTED TO BRING IMPACTS TO THE REGION WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Montgomery, Telfair, Toombs, and Wheeler - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Crisp, Dodge, and Wilcox - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Bleckley, Dooly, Emanuel, Johnson, Laurens, Pulaski, and Treutlen * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Crisp, Dodge, Montgomery, Telfair, Toombs, Wheeler, and Wilcox - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Bleckley, Dooly, Emanuel, Johnson, Laurens, Pulaski, and Treutlen * STORM INFORMATION: - About 510 miles south of Cordele GA or about 570 miles south of Macon GA - 24.6N 84.8W - Storm Intensity 85 mph - Movement North or 5 degrees at 14 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Idalia is forecast to track northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico while strengthening through today and tonight before becoming a major hurricane near the Big Bend region of Florida Wednesday morning. After making landfall, Idalia is expected to track over portions of southeast and east-central Georgia Wednesday evening. Local impacts from Idalia will begin as early as Wednesday morning as heavy rainfall begins to overspread southeast central Georgia from southwest to northeast. Heavy rainfall will then continue through Wednesday night across the region with 4 to 8 inches of rainfall forecast, with locally higher amounts possible. Tropical Storm force winds are expected to occur across east-central Georgia on Wednesday afternoon and evening. Tornadoes will be possible across southeast central Georgia on Wednesday afternoon and evening, particularly in tropical bands. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across east-central Georgia. Potential impacts include: - Major flooding from heavy rainfall 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. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - In areas experiencing the most significant flooding, flood waters may enter structures, with some becoming uninhabitable. Roadways, including escape routes, may become impassable where significant flooding occurs. Streets and parking lots may become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions will become dangerous. Flooding may result in the closures of many roads and bridges, with some becoming weakened or washed out. Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to significant impacts across east-central Georgia. * WIND: Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across east-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 east-central Georgia. Elsewhere across NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across southeast-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. Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across east-central Georgia. Elsewhere across NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * 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. If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making. 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. 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 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 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$