***TUESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE***
The potential tropical cyclone moving toward the area has been upgraded to a tropical storm, according to a briefing by the National Weather Service, and is expected to become a hurricane tomorrow.
Colquitt County Emergency Management Director Justin Cox said in an email, “Expect widespread power outages, trees down everywhere, and roadways washed out.”
The National Weather Service stated that it expected it to make landfall, as a major hurricane, somewhere along the Florida Big Bend coastline Thursday evening. Impacts could be felt as early as Thursday morning.
The briefing also stated that there is potential for hurricane force winds as far inland as Tifton and a 70% to 80% chance in Moultrie with 4” to 6” inches of rain, as well.
***TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE***
The National Weather Service has updated its forecast on the potential tropical cyclone that is moving toward the area.
Colquitt County Emergency Management Director Justin Cox said in an email, “While the estimated time of arrival has delayed somewhat, the threats have increased for Colquitt County.”
The national weather forecasts the system to move into the southern Gulf of Mexico Wednesday before rapidly heading north-east Wednesday night into Thursday. There is increasing potential for damaging winds, dangerous storm surge and heavy rain across the area, the briefing stated.
Potentially catastrophic wind damage is expected near the eventual landfall point and inland along the track, the service’s briefing also stated.
“Hurricane watches are at the GA/FL line and will likely extend as the day moves on. 74-110 MPH wind potential for us has been forecasted as well as heavy rainfall amounts. I cannot stress this enough, please prepare yourselves now,” Cox said.
MOULTRIE – Monday afternoon the National Weather Service announced that there is a potential tropical cyclone that could impact Colquitt County and surrounding areas.
Colquitt County Emergency Management Director Justin Cox said in an email, “Colquitt County is in the 40-50% chance for Tropical Storm force impacts, including 4-6 inches of rain and strong winds.”
He went on to state the National Weather Service was confident in this forecast with the impacts being felt Thursday morning and possibly continuing all day.
“This storm is expected to strengthen rapidly and move quickly,” Cox said.
The National Weather Service’s briefing stated that the system was expected to strengthen on Tuesday and move northwestward toward the Northeastern Gulf. The system is expected become a hurricane and could reach the coast as a major hurricane and a large storm, in terms of its size.
Because of the storm’s speed, the briefing stated that rainfall total will not be as intense but considerable flash flooding and moderate riverine flooding is possible with the current wet conditions.
Also according to the National Weather Service, there is a 6 to 7 in 10 chance for tropical storm force winds for points along the Florida Big Bend coastline; a 5 to 6 in 10 chance in Tallahassee; a 4 to 5 in 10 chance in Valdosta; and a 3 in 10 chance in Albany and Panama City Beach.