Hurricane Sally Remnants To Bring Severe Weather Across North GA

GEORGIA — Much of north Georgia is set to see the aftermath of Hurricane Sally as the remnants make its way across the state Wednesday night and Thursday.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch much of north and central Georgia through Friday morning. As the remnants of Hurricane Sally move across the deep south, very heavy rainfall is likely for much of the outlook area, especially within the outer rain bands. Runoff associated with the heavy rains could produce flash flooding and river flooding.

Although Sally, which made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane near Gulf Shores Wednesday around 4:45 a.m., has been downgraded to a tropical storm, there is still the possibility of dangerous weather in Georgia. Further south, flooding along the Gulf coast is still expected to be severe, as communities along the coast of Florida, Alabama and Mississippi were hit hard by the storm Wednesday morning.

Periods of heavy rainfall are expected across the area with the outer rain bands of Hurricane Sally as it tracks inland Wednesday, then weakens and tracks over Georgia Thursday into early Friday. At this time, rainfall amounts of 3-6 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts possible. The highest amounts are centered along a line from Columbus, to Griffin, to Athens, where rainfall amounts could total 5-7 inches.

The NWS said as Hurricane Sally moves inland Wednesday, changes in location, timing and amounts are still possible.

In addition to heavy rainfall, the outer rain bands associated with Hurricane Sally will contain stronger winds gusts capable of producing downed trees and power lines. A couple of brief weak tornadoes cannot be ruled out, the NWS said.

A wind advisory is in effect for most of Georgia from 6 p.m. through 11 a.m. on Thursday. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Downed trees and powerlines due to high winds and saturated soils. Power outages are also possible.

Outside the rain bands, sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph are possible, the NWS said. Sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph may continue into Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 70 mph with higher gusts. Additional weakening is expected as the center moves farther inland Wednesday afternoon and evening, and Sally is forecast to become a tropical depression by Thursday morning.

Sally's northern eyewall had raked the Gulf Coast with hurricane-force winds and rain from Pensacola Beach, Florida, westward to Dauphin Island, Alabama, for hours before its center finally hit land.

Forecasters warned that heavy rainfall would continue into Thursday as the storm moved inland over Alabama and into central Georgia, likely causing serious flash flooding and minor to moderate river flooding far from the coast.

Central Alabama and Georgia are forecast to receive up to 12 inches of rain, with significant flash flooding possible. Parts of North Carolina and South Carolina could receive 4 to 9 inches of rain by the end of the week.

Related: Sally Weakens, Downgraded To Tropical Storm

Georgia Department of Transportation Prepared for Hurricane Sally

The Georgia Department of Transportation is monitoring Hurricane Sally's trajectory and changes to predictions on how the storm will affect the state of Georgia.

GDOT teams statewide have equipment loaded and crews are on alert, including immediate-response strike teams ready to respond should the storm turn into a severe weather event anywhere in the state.

Turn Around Don't Drown

At the moment, heavy rainfall resulting in flooding is the main concern. Motorists are reminded to "Turn Around, Don't Drown." Just six inches of fast-moving water can carry away an adult. Twelve inches of fast moving water can carry away a small car, and 18 - 24 inches can carry away most large SUVs, vans and trucks.

Hurricane Safety Tips

As Hurricane Sally moves through Georgia, motorists are encouraged to use caution to ensure their safety and be cautious of strong winds, flooding, downed power lines and the potential for falling trees.

• Call 511 to report flash flooding, downed trees or other obstructions that impede travel on roadways or bridges
• Take shelter as the system passes through the state
• Do not drive around barricades that are in place for motorist safety or through standing water
• Residents should never clear tree limbs, downed trees or debris from roadways, live power lines could be tangled in debris and cause injury or death; instead, wait for Georgia DOT and Georgia Power crews
• Motorists who must drive should always treat flashing red and non-operational signals as a four-way stop

Reporting and writing from The Associated Press was used in this report. Patch Editor Michael Seale contributed to this article.