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.”

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