Weather
Tropical Storm Elsa On Track For Georgia: Forecast
As of Wednesday morning, the storm was expected to turn toward Georgia. Here's how much rain could fall in GA, forecasters say.
ATLANTA, GA — Tropical Storm Elsa is on track to hit south Georgia late Wednesday, and is expected to bring rain and thunderstorms across the state — particularly in north and central Georgia — through early next week, forecasters warned.
"Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected across north and central Georgia this afternoon and evening. A few storms may become strong, capable of producing gusty winds, locally heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning," the National Weather Service said in a hazardous weather outlook bulletin Wednesday morning. "Tropical Storm Elsa looks to bring periods of moderate to heavy rainfall and storms to the southeastern portion of the forecast area on Wednesday."
The track of the storm could potentially shift further west in the coming days, NWS said.
Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, Tropical Storm Elsa was located about 115 miles northwest of Tampa, Florida with 65 mph winds, and is expected to make landfall along the north Florida Gulf coast by late Wednesday morning or early Wednesday afternoon.
Elsa could potentially produce tropical storm-like conditions in southeastern Georgia, as well as thunderstorms in north and central parts of the state, according to the NWS.
Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Scattered thunderstorms are expected across north and central Georgia Thursday through Tuesday. A few storms each day may become strong, capable of producing gusty winds, locally heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning," the NWS said. "Across portions of southeast Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina, 2 to 4 inches [of rain] with isolated maximum totals up to 6 inches will be possible, which may result in considerable flash and urban flooding."
The NWS also warned of possible tornadoes late Wednesday in southeast Georgia, but the tornado threat could shift to the eastern Carolinas and far southeast Virginia by Thursday.
Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order Tuesday night declaring a state of emergency in preparation for the effects of Tropical Storm Elsa.
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