For your awareness, attached are slides from the National Weather Service that outline the forecast and provide graphics to visually represent the expected impacts to Georgia, based on the forecast as of noon today, September 10, 2017.
Impacts expected include:
Damaging winds: Sustained winds of 40 to 60 MPH with gusts of 50 to 80 MPH are likely across much of Georgia from Monday morning to Tuesday morning. Portions of Southwest Georgia could see higher values. This will lead to widespread trees and powerlines down with prolonged power outages expected. In addition, structural damage is possible, particularly from falling trees. Thousands of trees and power lines will be downed, with many likely to fall over roadways, power lines, structures, and vehicles. Travel disruptions and delays due to downed trees may be substantial. Winds of this magnitude will cause impacts comparable to those of Hurricane Opal in 1995 when wind gusts of 50 to 75 MPH occurred in the Atlanta Metro area.
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding: Rainfall amounts in Southeast Georgia of 8 to 12 inches are expected, with 3 to 8 inches forecast for the rest of Georgia. Some areas could see isolated higher amounts. This will create the potential for flash flooding, and a few rivers may reach minor to moderate flood stage.
Storm surge: Coastal areas could see 4 to 6 feet of storm surge. These values do not include any wave action that occurs on top of the storm tide, which could be substantial.
Tornadoes: Several isolated/scattered tornadoes will still be possible. They would be rain-wrapped and nearly impossible to see.
Will Lanxton
Meteorologist
GEMA/Homeland Security