Hurricane Idalia is weakening as it moves across southeast Georgia on Wednesday afternoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph near its center, located to the east of Valdosta.
On its current track, forecasters expect the storm will reach Savannah between 6 and 9 p.m. this evening at Category 1 hurricane strength, with sustained winds above 74 mph. Even if it weakens further to a tropical storm, Idalia’s impacts for the coast will be the same, according to Channel 2 Action News chief meteorologist Brad Nitz.
Heavy rain and destructive wind is expected along the coast from Brunswick to Savannah, he said. Metro Atlanta could turn breezy later Wednesday, but rain from Idalia’s outer bands should stay off to the southeast of the city. Flood watches have been issued for middle and southeast Georgia counties, with 4 or more inches of rainfall expected.
Credit: Stephen B. Morton for The Atlanta Journal Constitution
Credit: Stephen B. Morton for The Atlanta Journal Constitution
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