10/09/2026
WEATHER UPDATE (GEORGIA):
The Tropical Storm WATCH has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm WARNING for Chattahoochee, Harris, Heard, Macon, Marion, Meriwether, Muscogee, Pike, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Troup, Upson, and Webster County.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
As of 11 AM ET, Hurricane Isaias was located in the northern Gulf with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, moving NNE at 16 mph. Isaias is forecast to accelerate towards the northern Gulf Coast this evening into early Saturday, and begin bringing widespread and potentially significant impacts to Central Georgia. These include a prolonged period of strong winds, heavy rainfall with localized flooding, and the potential for several tornadoes. Impacts will peak in intensity late Friday night into Saturday afternoon as Isaias moves northward across Mississippi/Alabama and into the Tennessee Valley.
The wind field associated with Isaias is expected to expand considerably as the system moves inland and becomes extra-tropical. Strong winds will extend well east of the center of the storm and into West-Central Georgia. A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect fort his area where wind gusts to 50 mph will be possible. The prolonged and strong winds could lead to power outages from downed limbs and trees, especially when combined with saturated soils from periods of heavy rain.
Isaias will bring widespread rainfall, with multiple bands of heavy rain expected tonight through late Saturday. Widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 4 inches are likely across much of the area. This rainfall could lead to localized flash flooding, particularly in urban and poor-drainage areas, as well as flood-prone creeks and streams. A Flood WATCH is in effect for the entire area.
Additionally, as Isaias tracks northward and inland late tonight into
Saturday, a favorable environment for tornadoes will develop across Central Georgia, and continue through Saturday night. Several tornadoes will be possible, particularly within the outer rain bands of the system. Tornadoes from tropical systems are typically quick to develop and short-lived, but with the forward speed of the system and the unique setup, we can't rule out a stronger (EF2 or EF3), long-track tornado, especially across Central Georgia.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS:
* WIND:
Protect against hazardous winds having possible significant impacts across Central Georgia.
Potential impacts in this area include:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Numerous power and communications outages.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across Central Georgia.
Potential impacts include:
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches overflow.
- Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across Central Georgia.
Potential impacts include:
- The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the ex*****on of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
