UPDATED 6:45 a.m., Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 — Fayette and Coweta residents are bracing for possible tropical storm-force winds of over 40 mph later Monday with rain falling throughout the day, the result of the aftermath of Hurricane Irma moving northwestward through southwest Georgia and southeast Alabama.
All schools are closed in both counties for both Monday and Tuesday, as are government offices in Peachtree City and Fayetteville. All police, fire and public service personnel are on duty.
The Fayette County Health Department will be closed Monday, Sept. 11, and Tuesday, Sept. 12, to allow staff to assist the Red Cross across Georgia areas affected by Hurricane Irma. You may contact the office on Wednesday to reschedule any appointments.
Here is the Monday morning weather update from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City:
NWS UPDATED FORECAST — 6:45 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, 2017
Tropical Storm Warning
Irma Local Watch/Warning Statement/Advisory Number 49
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA AL112017
542 AM EDT Mon Sep 11 2017
…TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT…
* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
– Peachtree City
* WIND
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind
– Peak Wind Forecast: 30-40 mph with gusts to 55 mph
– Window for Tropical Storm force winds: late this morning until early Tuesday morning
– CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Elevated
– The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Unfolding
* FLOODING RAIN
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flash Flood Watch is in effect
– Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 3-5 inches, with locally higher amounts
– CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Moderate
– The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
* TORNADO
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
– Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes
– CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: None
– The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None
* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
– Family emergency plans: Federal Emergency Management Agency
– http://ready.gov/hurricanes
– Local weather conditions and forecasts:
– http://weather.gov/atlanta
Hurricane Local Statement
Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 49
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
551 AM EDT Mon Sep 11 2017
This product covers NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA
**A Tropical Storm Warning Remains in Effect for Much of Georgia**
NEW INFORMATION
———————-
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– None
* STORM INFORMATION:
– About 350 miles south-southeast of Atlanta GA or about 280 miles south-southeast of Columbus GA
– 28.9N 82.6W
– Storm Intensity 75 mph
– Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 18 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
—————————
Hurricane Irma is centered about 60 miles north of Tampa, Florida and moving north northwest at 18 mph. The official National Hurricane Center track has Irma continuing to move up the west coast of the Florida Peninsula this morning and then moving into southwest Georgia during the mid afternoon hours. The greatest impacts from Irma will be felt with winds increasing to 40 to 50 mph with gusts near 70 mph along and east of the center of the storm track by early this afternoon.
NEXT UPDATE
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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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PREVIOUS ONLINE FORECASTS
UPDATED 8:26 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 — It’s a first: a tropical storm warning has been issued for Fayette and Coweta counties and the Atlanta metro area by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City. High wind warnings have been issued in previous storms, but never a tropical storm warning this far north in Georgia.
The unprecedented warning means that steady winds of from 30 to 40 mph are almost certain to blow through Fayette and Coweta counties beginning as early as Monday morning. Gusts could be up to 55 mph.
Good news: NWS says there’s almost no chance of an isolated tornado during that time in this area.
Rainfall amounts from 4 to 8 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts.
Here’s the updated warning from the Peachtree City office of the NWS shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday:
WEATHER UPDATED Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 6:45 p.m.
Tropical Storm Warning
Irma Local Watch/Warning Statement/Advisory Number 47
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA AL112017
625 PM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017
GAZ054-110630-
/O.NEW.KFFC.TR.W.1011.170910T2225Z-000000T0000Z/
Fayette-
625 PM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017
…TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT…
A Tropical Storm Warning means Tropical storm wind conditions are expected somewhere within this area and within the next 36 hours
* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
– Peachtree City
* WIND
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind
– Peak Wind Forecast: 30-40 mph with gusts to 60 mph
– Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Monday afternoon until early Tuesday morning
– CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Elevated
– The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
– Emergency plans should include a reasonable threat for tropical storm force wind of 39 to 57 mph.
– To be safe, prepare for the potential of limited wind impacts. Remaining efforts to secure properties should now be brought to completion.
– Hazardous wind is possible. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury. Move to safe shelter 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: Flash Flood Watch is in effect
– Peak Rainfall Amounts: 4-8 inches, with locally higher amounts
– CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Moderate
– The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
– Emergency plans should include a reasonable threat for moderate flooding where peak rainfall totals notably exceed amounts conducive for flash flooding and rapid inundation.
Rescues and emergency evacuations are possible.
– To be safe, earnestly prepare for the potential of significant flooding rain impacts.
– Dangerous flooding is possible. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life. If flood related watches and warnings are issued, heed recommended actions.
– 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, 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 unfavorable for tornadoes
– CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: None
– The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
– Emergency plans need not include a threat for tornadoes. Showers and thunderstorms with strong gusty winds may still occur.
– Little to no preparations needed to guard against tropical tornadoes.
– Ensure readiness for the next tropical tornado event.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None
– Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes.
* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
– Family emergency plans: Federal Emergency Management Agency
– http://ready.gov/hurricanes
– Local weather conditions and forecasts:
– http://weather.gov/atlanta
NWS Hurricane Statement for Peachtree City area 6:36 p.m.
Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 47
This product covers NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA
**A Tropical Storm Warning is in Effect for Much of North and Central Georgia**
NEW INFORMATION
———————-
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– No changes to current watches and warnings
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Banks, Catoosa, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Hall, Lumpkin, Murray, Towns, Union, Walker, White, and Whitfield
– A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baldwin, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Carroll, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, DeKalb, Dodge, Dooly, Douglas, Emanuel, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Glascock, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Macon, Madison, Marion, Meriwether, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Muscogee, Newton, North Fulton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Rockdale, Schley, South Fulton, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Taylor, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walton, Warren, Washington, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkes, and Wilkinson
* STORM INFORMATION:
– About 540 miles south-southeast of Atlanta GA or about 470
miles south-southeast of Columbus GA
– 26.2N 81.8W
– Storm Intensity 110 mph
– Movement North or 350 degrees at 14 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
Hurricane Irma continues as a major hurricane, centered 5 miles north of Naples, Florida. The official National Hurricane Center track has Irma 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 moves up the west coast of Florida.
As Irma moves into southwest Georgia, portions of the warning area can expect tropical storm force winds beginning early Monday morning. 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:
Prepare for 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, prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across north and central Georgia.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across north and central 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, 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 the remainder of north Georgia.
* TORNADOES:
Prepare for 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 check your emergency plan and take necessary actions to secure your home or business. Deliberate efforts should be underway to protect life and property. Ensure that your Emergency Supplies Kit is stocked and ready.
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track as there are inherent forecast uncertainties which must be taken into account.
If you live in a place that is particularly vulnerable to high wind, such as a mobile home, an upper floor of a high rise building, or on a boat, plan to move to safe shelter. Take enough supplies for you and your family for several days.
If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low lying or poor drainage area, in a valley or canyon, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground
Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of others.
When securing your property, outside preparations should be conducted as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty winds and heavy rain can cause certain preparedness activities to become unsafe.
Be sure to let friends and other family members know of your intentions and whereabouts for surviving the storm. For emergency purposes, have someone located away from the threatened area serve as your point of contact. Share vital contact information with others. Keep cell phones handy and well charged.
Be a Good Samaritan and check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are unable to make personal preparations.
Visitors to the area should become familiar with nearby surroundings. If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish in which you are located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to area visitors.
Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio or other local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for 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 midnight, or sooner if conditions warrant.
