9/12/18

(Sautee)-  Northeast Georgians  should keep a close watch on the weather developments as we head into this weekend  and Hurricane Florence hits the Carolina coast.  Local News Radio Weather reporter Bill Kinsland says the National Weather Service has advised that  weather hazards for Friday through Monday, if any, will greatly depend on the track of Hurricane Florence.  

After landfall which is expected Friday there is great uncertainty as to where Florence will go.  As it weakens, it could move toward Georgia or the southern Appalachians. At this time Bill says it is a watch and monitor, and he urges everyone to  stay tuned to your local forecast.

White County Public Safety Director David Murphy advises in an email Wednesday morning that if the current track is correct, what’s left of Florence may move west after landfall near Wilmington, NC. That westward motion may bring the storm across South Carolina and into Northeast Georgia as a depression.  Murphy says, if this verifies, gusty winds and rain will be the main threat. Hurricane conditions are not expected across NE Georgia regardless of the track.

More changes to the track after landfall are likely over the next 48 hours. Keep in mind landfall is not expected before Friday morning. Any impact on Georgia would most likely be late Saturday into Sunday.

Murphy said, the county’s Emergency Operation Center  is monitoring and ready for activation if necessary.

 Bill also reminded us that on this date (9/12) one year ago,  for the first time in recorded history, White and Lumpkin Counties were placed under a “Tropical Storm Watch”  and shortly thereafter a “Tropical Storm Warning”  as Hurricane Irma approached the area.  During this period several record high wind gusts were recorded around the area including  57 miles per hour at White County Emergency Operation Center.  

The damage from the high winds was significant. Widespread power outages from downed power lines were not completely resolved until the following week.  Several houses were seriously damaged by falling trees.