Hurricane Isaias has Georgia in its path. Here’s the forecast as some beaches close
Hurricane Isaias is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to Georgia as it creeps up the East Coast this weekend.
The Category 1 hurricane was traveling northwest over the Bahamas on Friday, packing powerful winds that could reach the Georgia coast as early as 8 a.m. Sunday, forecasts show.
Parts of the Georgia coast could see one to two inches of rainfall through the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Some coastal beaches have been ordered closed as Isaias continues churning in the Caribbean. On Friday, Tybee Island Mayor Shirley Sessions said the beaches would be closed to swimmers Sunday and Monday. A rip current risk is also in effect Saturday morning through the evening.
“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 a news release. “Dangerous surf and beach erosion is likely.”
Northern and central regions of the state could also see hazardous weather, including scattered thunderstorms with the potential for “damaging winds, frequent lightning and hail,” the National Weather Service said Friday.
Though much of Georgia won’t see impacts from the storm, forecasters are urging residents to remain on high alert. Isaias reached maximum sustained winds of 75 mph Friday and has continued to trek northwest at 15 mph toward the Bahamas.
The storm has become “better organized” as it swirls over the warm waters of the Caribbean, according to the NHC. It will soon reach the eastern coast of Florida, bringing tropical storm conditions.
“There’s risk of impact from winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge late this weekend from the northeastern Florida coast and spreading northward along the remainder of the U.S. east coast,” the National Hurricane Center said. “The details of the track and intensity forecast remain uncertain ... but interests along the entire U.S. east coast should monitor the progress of Isaias and updates to the forecast.”
Hurricane watch and storm surge warnings have also been issued for parts of Florida’s eastern coast. Other storm threats to the Atlantic coast include flash flooding and dangerous storm surge, according to the NHC.
”Hurricane conditions are expected along portions of the Florida east coast Saturday and Saturday night,” forecasters said Friday afternoon. “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.”
Isaias is expected to remain a hurricane through the weekend.
This story was originally published July 31, 2020 at 11:30 AM.