Possible ‘Life-Threatening’ Storm Surge on Georgia Coast

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(TNS) – Ian has weakened to a tropical storm but could restrengthen to a hurricane as it creeps toward Georgia’s coast, bringing the potential for “life-threatening” storm surge, high winds and heavy rain.

A Storm Surge Warning remained in effect Thursday, Sept. 29, for parts of the coast including Savannah, Tybee and Ossabaw islands, according to the National Weather Service office in Charleston.

A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch have also been issued.


“There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge today through Friday ( Sept. 29-30) along the coasts of northeast Florida, Georgia and South Carolina,” the National Weather Service said in its 5 a.m. update. “Residents in these areas should follow any advice given by local officials.”

Ian maintained maximum sustained winds of 65 mph on Thursday, moving northeast at 8 mph as it approached the Atlantic. That’s where forecasters said the system could intensify to “near hurricane strength” before making a second landfall in South Carolina, or near Savannah.

Storm surge could top 6 feet in parts of coastal and southeast Georgia, forecasters said.

Other potential risks include tropical storm force winds reaching 30-40 mph and 50 mph gusts starting late Thursday and flooding brought on by an additional 3-6 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson declared a local state of emergency on Wednesday, Sept. 28, in anticipation of the storm. A state of emergency issued by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also went into effect at 7 a.m. Thursday for all 159 counties across the Peach State.

“The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) State Operations Center is now at a Level 1 full-scale activation and continues to monitor Tropical Storm Ian’s progress,” according to a statement from the governor’s office.

“Teams from the relevant state agencies are also standing by to deploy to affected counties, when appropriate.”

As Georgia and South Carolina brace for second Ian landfall, evacuees head toward Macon

Tropical storm warning issued as North Carolina coast braces for Ian’s wind and rain

©2022 The Charlotte Observer. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


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