Florence now a tropical depression; higher winds expected in Georgia
The weather event known as Florence is classified as a tropical depression as of Sunday. However, it still is expected to bring heavy rain to the Carolinas and may be felt in North Georgia, according to forecasts.
Today will be cloudy with drizzle and showers due to #Florence. It will also be breezy at times. In the Metro I'm expecting gusts to 25 mph, higher in the mountains. Ch. 2 Action News Sunday AM returns at 9AM. See you then! pic.twitter.com/5XNE5rrVmP
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsWSB) September 16, 2018
Florence is moving westward about 8 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. It is expected to turn to the northwest Sunday, and then head north and northeast Monday, while picking up some speed.
So far, 14 deaths have been reported, according to ABC News.
Along with tremendous rainfall totals (which I'll be updating in the next hour), the WIND has been impressive, too. These are the peak gusts per state. #Florence is a weakening Depression this morning w/ sustained winds of 35 mph but rainfall is widespread pic.twitter.com/ojUYuOs9kt
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsWSB) September 16, 2018
North Georgia is feeling some effects from Florence, according to Channel 2 Action News.
Wind gusts to 40 mph will be possible in areas above 3,000 feet, meteorologist Katie Walls said.
Florence-related winds in metro Atlanta likely won’t be that severe.
“It will be breezy at times (Sunday),” Walls said, with sustained winds expected in the 25 mph range.
Here are the 3-day rainfall forecast totals from @NWSWPC for this evening through Tuesday evening. An additional 10-15" of rain are expected across portions of North Carolina. https://t.co/BIir1dPyMc pic.twitter.com/3FOfKg4XH0
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 15, 2018
“(Florence) is no longer a wind event,” Walls said.
However, she said it still is very much a rain event.
An additional 4 to 6 inches of rain is expected in southern North Carolina and into northern South Carolina, according to the NHC.
“This rainfall will result in additional flash flooding while also exacerbating the river flooding,” the agency said in a statement Sunday morning.
In some areas of North Carolina and Virginia, “catastrophic” flash flooding and an “elevated risk for landslides” is possible, in addition to 5 to 10 more inches of rain, the NHC said.
Such severe rain is not expected in metro Atlanta on Sunday. The chance is 40 to 60 percent.
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