Residents along Georgia’s coast are cautiously preparing for the possible impact of Tropical Storm Isaias, which has weakened to a tropical storm from a hurricane overnight.
As of 11 a.m. Sunday, residents in near Cape Canaveral, Florida, were experiencing max winds of 65 miles per hour and heavy rainfall, according to The National Hurricane Center. Currently, Georgia coastal residents are no longer preparing to evacuate, according to The Brunswick News. However, Isais was slated to strengthen back to a hurricane some point Sunday as it moves from Florida’s coast to other areas in the Southeast.
The center of Isaias will move near or over the east coast of Florida today through late tonight, according to the National Hurricane Center. On Monday and Tuesday, the center of Isaias will move from offshore of the coast of Georgia into the southern mid-Atlantic states. As much as three inches of rain could hit the coast of Georgia and northwest Florida Sunday.
The Brunswick News reported Glynn County officials say residents should plan to shelter in place Sunday and Monday and possibly prepare for an evacuation.
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Glynn County Emergency Management Agency acting director Alec Eaton said crews are on hand to help with the aftermath. Residents are asked to stay in their homes after the storm has passed so that responders have time to clear power lines that may be down and to clear the streets.
“Isaias is forecast to approach Chatham County as a Tropical Storm on Monday morning with the greatest effects seen Monday afternoon & into the evening,” Chatham Emergency Management Agency said in a tweet. “The storm track is closer to Chatham County, tracking approximately 60 miles off the Georgia coast Monday afternoon.”
Tybee Island Mayor Shirley Sessions has ordered beaches closed Sunday and Monday.
“Tybee Island is on the weak side of the system, and we anticipate mild TS force wind & rain associated with bands passing through the area,” Sessions said in an announcement Thursday. “Dangerous surf and beach erosion is likely.”
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Tybee has also temporarily suspended cardboard recycling ahead of the storm. Cardboard recycling trailers have been removed.
A public advisory from the National Hurricane Center says those on the southeast coast of the United States “should monitor the progress of Isaias.” Warnings and watches may be in effect in the coming days. A storm surge watch is in effect for parts of Vedra Beach, Florida, Edisto Beach, South Carolina and Cape Fear, North Carolina. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Hallandale Beach, Florida and South Santee River, South Carolina. A tropical storm watch is in effect for areas north of South Santee River, South Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina.
