Hurricane Dorian: GA Coastal Flooding Prompts Evacuation Order

GEORGIA — Hurricane Dorian battered Grand Bahama early Monday as the devastating category 5 storm packed 185 mph winds, weather officials said. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely, but Dorian is expected to remain a catastrophic hurricane during the next few days, and now parts of Georgia are expected to receive some of the worst damage. A coastal flood advisory has been issued for parts of eastern Georgia with 3 to 6 inches of rain likely there, isolated 9 inch amounts are possible.

On Monday morning, the Chatham Emergency Management Authority said Dorian remains at Category 5, with the storm continuing west and slowing. The Georgia coast remains at risk for heavy rains and flooding later in the week. Gov. Brian Kemp is holding a 10:30 am press conference.

Starting at noon Monday, Georgians who live east of I-95 in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty, and McIntosh counties must evacuate, Gov. Brian Kemp has ordered. State highway officials will start a westerly contraflow on I-16 at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, to help residents get out of the area.

Also on Monday, President Donald Trump signed an emergency declaration for Georgia, making any counties damaged by the hurricane eligible for federal funds.

Dorian's current path shows that it could reach Georgia's coast around 8 a.m. Wednesday as a major hurricane with wind speeds over 110 miles per hour. About 24 hours later, the storm track shows it hovering near the coast of the Carolinas as a hurricane with speeds between 74 miles per hour and 110 miles per hour.

Georgia also became more of a focus for officials as Dorian appeared to shift its course northward, away from Florida, and now threatening the Carolinas and Georgia with heavy rains that could produce life-threatening flash flooding starting on Labor Day.

The National Weather Service says strong winds and dangerous storm surge are possible along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina from Monday through Thursday.

Dorian will remain a very powerful storm over the next few days, the NWS warned. The coastal Carolinas and Georgia, specifically, should prepare for 5 to 10 inches of storm surge flooding, and up to 15 inches in spots.

Dorian's "track has again shifted slightly east, but Chatham remains in the error cone," the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency in Georgia said Saturday afternoon. "We could see impacts mid- to late next week and residents are still encouraged to prepare for any potential impacts to our area."

The city of Savannah and Chatham County could feel the affects of Hurricane Dorian by mid-to late this week, officials said. "The track is consistent and Chatham remains in the error cone. We could see impacts mid to late this week including heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding. Prepare now by updating your emergency plans and ensuring your kit is stocked.," the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency tweeted on Sunday.

"The storm's speed has slowed again," CEMA officials said late Sunday morning. ..."Take time now to finalize your preparedness efforts.

Portions of eastern Georgia are under a Coastal Flood Advisory including Coastal Bryan, Coastal Chatham, Coastal Liberty and Coastal McIntosh on Sunday until early Monday. The impacts include up to one foot of inundation above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. Saltwater inundation will impact some roads, including Highway 80 to Tybee Island.

Very strong rip currents will be dangerous to anyone who enters the surf, although the NWS said no one should enter the surf due to life threatening rip currents. High tide will occur around 10:40 p.m. Sunday at Fort Pulaski. Saltwater inundation will be possible 2 to 3 hours before and after high tide.

If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed, the NWS said. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.

On Aug. 29, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency for several coastal counties. The state of emergency is in Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce and Wayne Counties to assist with preparation, response and recovery, Kemp said on Thursday afternoon.

Additionally, Kemp issued an executive order temporarily suspending federal rules and regulations which would otherwise limit the hours that operators of commercial vehicles may drive to ensure an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products, emergency supplies, and food, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency said. This Executive Order also temporarily waives specific weight, height, and length restrictions for vehicles traveling through Georgia for purposes of disaster preparation or relief, subject to Department of Public Safety oversight and permitting.

"I urge our citizens to be ready to move very quickly. We still don't know a lot about the path this storm will take," Kemp said at a news conference Thursday. "We should know more in the next 24 hours."

WSB-TV reported that the Georgia Emergency Management Agency will be opening its emergency operations center. GEMA has workers from different agencies who will be there coordinating the response and making sure resources get to the right places, the station said.

Coastal sections of the Southeast, including Savannah, and the northwestern Bahamas could be drenched with 6 to 12 inches of rain, with isolated 18 inch totals possible in some areas. This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods, the NHC said.

Patch is tracking every move of Tropical Storm Dorian. Get all the updates on the storm by subscribing to Patch's free breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.

At 8 a.m. Sunday morning, the NHC wrote, "The hurricane should move closer to the Florida east coast late Monday through Tuesday night."

Data from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft and satellite data indicate that Dorian made landfall at 12:40 p.m. in Elbow Cay, Abacos, the NHC said. The winds have increased to 185 mph.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said the "extremely distinct" eye of Hurricane Dorian was over the Abacos Island in the Bahamas heading "with all its fury" toward Grand Bahama.

Dorian is moving toward the west near 7 mph. A slower westward motion should continue for the next day or two, followed by a gradual turn toward the northwest. On this track, the core of Hurricane Dorian will continue to pound Great Abaco Sunday, and then move near or over Grand Bahama Island Sunday night and Monday. The hurricane should move closer to the Florida east coast late Monday through Tuesday night.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.

In Florida, officials issued the first hurricane watch for the east coast of Florida from north of Deerfield Beach to the Volusia and Brevard county line Sunday afternoon. A storm surge watch has also been issued from the Volusia and Brevard county line to north of Deerfield Beach in Broward County. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Lake Okeechobee in Florida.

• A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life- threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.
• A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
• A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
• A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within 36 hours.
• A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

See also:

• Hurricane Dorian Now Category 5, Threatens Georgia, Carolinas
• Dorian Could Be 'Major Hurricane' With Dangerous Storm Surge: NHC
• Tropical Storm Dorian: Georgia Keeping An Eye Storm's Path
• Hurricane Dorian: How This Impacts Labor Day Weekend In GA
• Hurricane Dorian: State Of Emergency Declared For GA Coast
• Atlanta Motor Speedway Opens Camping To Hurricane Evacuees

Travel

Georgia Department of Transportation has 860 employees and 1,033 pieces of equipment ready to deploy as needed. Crews are bracing for possible tropical storm or hurricane conditions including torrential rainfall, strong winds with potential for downed trees and power lines and possible tornadoes in the south and coastal regions of the state.

Maintaining roads and bridges is essential before, during and after the storm. GDOT has Special Response Teams ready to deploy, and each region of the state has employees ready to deploy for hurricane preparation and cleanup. In addition, bridge inspection teams are at the ready to monitor the potential need for bridge closures in coastal Georgia.

Statewide, Georgia DOT crews are prepared to deploy as needed.

• GDOT's Transportation Management Center is monitoring traffic conditions statewide. GDOT will stage more heavily concentrated CHAMP patrols on I-75 near the Georgia/Florida border as needed.
• Drivers traveling on interstates and state routes should be wary of the possibility of falling trees due to high winds. GDOT is actively engaged in the removal of trees and overgrown brush along state rights-of-way to mitigate the possibility of falling trees across roadways, a particular danger during hurricanes and tropical storms.
• Drivers should strongly consider using alternate routes besides interstate highways. Often during evacuations, interstates are heavily congested while state routes go largely unused. State routes are a viable alternative to interstates. Consult 511, state maps and way finding apps to determine the best, the least congested route to ensure your safe evacuation.
• Due to Labor Day weekend, GDOT previously suspended construction-related lane closures on interstates and major state routes across Georgia from noon Friday, Aug. 30 until 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3. These suspensions will be adjusted as needed in the coming days.

Sheltering

• Ahead of the storm's arrival, the Atlanta Motor Speedway is opening its camping facilities to evacuees seeking refuge from Hurricane Dorian. The Speedway, which is equipped to handle thousands of campers during its annual NASCAR weekend, will provide camping space free of charge for dry RV and tent campers in its Legends Campground. A limited number of camping spaces with water, power and sewer are also available for a nominal fee of $20 per night in the Premier Campground. Located adjacent to the campgrounds, AMS will also open The Rinnai Shower Station camper bath house, allowing evacuees free access to hot showers and restroom facilities during their stay.
• For accommodations in Georgia, visit the Official Georgia Tourism and Travel website.
• Evacuees and their pets are welcome in Georgia's State Parks, including horses at parks with equestrian facilities. Check GaStateParks.org for hurricane policies and status updates.

The public should monitor local radio and TV stations for the latest details on the path of the storm, weather conditions and possible evacuations. The public may also monitor GDOT's news service, The Network, at http://www.dot.ga.gov/AboutGDOT/TheNetwork for up-to-date information.

For real-time road conditions, call 511 or visit Georgia511. For weather information, visit the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Florida, or the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia. Visit www.dot.ga.gov/DS/Emergency/Hurricane for more information including an Evacuation Route Map.