West Georgia is now under a Tropical Storm Watch as Hurricane Isaias continues to strengthen over the Gulf and moves toward the northern Gulf Coast.
The watch includes communities across the West Georgia portion of the CNAW2News coverage area, including Columbus and LaGrange, as forecasters monitor the storm’s expected inland impacts.
The National Weather Service says Isaias is expected to move north and east over the coming days, with increasing concern for strong winds and other potentially hazardous weather across Georgia.
As of the latest National Hurricane Center advisory, Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and was moving northeast at approximately 9 mph. Additional strengthening is expected before the storm reaches the northern Gulf Coast.
For West Georgia and East Alabama, the biggest concerns will be strong wind gusts, heavy rainfall, localized flooding and tornadoes, particularly as bands of the storm move inland Friday night into Saturday.
The local forecast information provided to CNAW2News indicates the East Alabama area could see 1 to 3 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts, while the environment could become favorable for several tornadoes. Similar threats are being monitored across West Georgia.
The National Weather Service is warning that Georgia could experience heavy rain, gusty winds, flash flooding and isolated tornadoes from Friday night through Sunday, with the strongest impacts expected Saturday.
A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical-storm-force winds are possible within the next 48 hours.
Residents should not wait until conditions deteriorate to begin preparing.
Residents across East Alabama and West Georgia should secure or bring inside loose outdoor objects, charge phones and other essential devices, review their severe-weather shelter plan and make sure they have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.
Drivers should also be prepared for rapidly changing conditions, including flooded roads, debris and dangerous winds. Never drive through a flooded roadway.
CNAW2News.com will continue monitoring Hurricane Isaias and will provide updates as watches, warnings and local forecasts change.
