Savannah to declare state of local emergency ahead of Hurricane Idalia. Here's what to know
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Hurricane Idalia is likely bringing rain and winds to the Savannah area on Wednesday.
The latest model from the National Weather Service shows the storm making landfall along the western coast of Florida and then moving northeast across the state and the southeastern part of Georgia.
The storm, which officially became a hurricane early Tuesday, is strengthening while in the warm gulf waters and expected to be at least a Category 3 hurricane before landfall.
Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency on Tuesday and is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Friday.
"We are taking every precaution ahead of Hurricane Idalia's landfall tomorrow, and I am taking this additional executive action to ensure state assets are ready to respond" said Governor Brian Kemp in a release. "Georgians in the expected impact area can and should take necessary steps to ensure their safety and that of their families. We are well positioned to respond to whatever Idalia may bring."
The City of Savannah announced that Mayor Van Johnson, II will declare a state of local emergency effective Aug. 30 at 6 a.m. The state of local emergency allows the city manager "to execute emergency management plans and procure necessary resources to prepare for and respond to any impacts brought on by Hurricane Idalia," the press release said.
Savannah is considering a curfew on Wednesday at 6 p.m. until Thursday at 6 a.m. "if weather conditions necessitate a curfew be put in place for public safety," according to a release at 4:20 p.m. Tuesday. An official announcement will be made public if the curfew is enacted. Residents are urged to limit travel on Wednesday.
On Monday, the NWS declared a tropical storm watch and storm surge warning for the Georgia coast, including Bryan, Chatham, Liberty and McIntosh counties as well as coastal Effingham County.
A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.
Savannah has at least a 40% chance of flash flooding, according to the NWS Charleston.
School closures: Are Georgia schools closing for Tropical Storm Idalia? What we know as of Monday afternoon
See: Excessive rainfall forecast
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Hurricane Idalia path projected to include Savannah, Ga.
