Full Notification

*****Sent on behalf of Fire Chief/EMA Director Landry Merkison*****
 
Good morning,
 
As expected, Hurricane Irma is continuing up through Georgia created havoc in its wake. There have been many reports of significant damage in the southern part of the state. Most of the emergency responders in GEMA areas 2,5,8 have suspended response efforts (Clayton County is area 7). The following information contains updates on the storm.
 
24-Hour Updates & Changes:
· At 8 AM, Irma was downgraded to a Tropical Storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, with the center located about 30 miles W of Gainsville, FL moving NNW at 18 mph.
· The center of Tropical Storm Irma's track is forecast to head through Southwest GA from approximately from Albany, GA to Columbus, GA later this evening and tonight. However, Impacts will be felt well before the center of Irma reaches the state. Tropical storm force winds may arrive as early as Monday morning for the Atlanta area.
· Tropical Storm Irma is beginning to produce tropical-storm-force winds (>39 mph) in the southern portions of our County Warning Area including Dodge, Toombs, Crisp, Laurens, Sumter, Bibb, & Wheeler Counties.
· The track of Tropical Storm Irma was slightly further inland than previously forecasted yesterday, as a result the impacts for the Georgia area have been very slightly reduced since yesterday morning but remain consistent with the 8:30 pm briefing last night.
o Expected maximum winds gusts remain consistent to previous discussions
o Storm Total Rainfall estimates have been reduced up to 1" around the forecast area, but still remain substantial enough to cause major impacts
o The primary tornado threat exists primarily near the eastern Georgian coastline and should mostly remain to the east of our County Warning Area. However, a few scattered tornadoes may be possible south of I-20 and east of I-75.

Sheriff Victor Hill.