Hurricane Isaias is gaining strength as a Category 2 storm with a landfall expected Friday night.
The 5 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center says Isaias is moving 15 mph NNE with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. Both NOAA and Air Force hurricane hunters are flying inside the storm.
Hurricane Isaias could strengthen into a major Category 3 hurricane before it makes landfall. The next NHC advisory will be out at 8 a.m.
LIVE Severe Weather 2 coverage with the latest data, track and final preparations underway, on Channel 2 Action News This Morning.
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WATCHES AND WARNINGS
There are Hurricane, Tropical Storm and Storm Surge Warnings stretching across the Alabama, Florida and Mississippi coast in Isaias’ path.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the following counties in the Channel 2 Action News viewing area: Heard, Meriwether, Pike, Troup and Upson and Randolph County, Alabama.
A Flood Watch has been issued for all of metro Atlanta and most of north Georgia. Heavy rain bands will bring 1-3 inches of rainfall in many areas. A few spots may get up to 5 inches.
A High Wind Watch is also in effect for all of north Georgia for gusts up to 50 mph that can bring down trees and lead to widespread power outages.
WHICH SIDE OF HURRICANE ISAIAS IS GEORGIA ON?
Isaias is expected to make landfall between coastal Alabama and Florida late Friday night.
That means Georgia will be on the “dirty” side of the storm with the threat for severe weather, heavy rain and risk for brief tornadoes as the rain bands move through.
[INTERACTIVE: StormTracker 2HD Radar]
WHAT IS THE LATEST TIMING FOR GEORGIA?
It’s going to be mainly quiet throughout much of Friday afternoon. During the early evening hours, we’ll have a few light rain showers lifting from south to north across the area.
Widespread rain will move through as we go through the overnight period tonight into early Saturday morning. And throughout the day on Saturday, we’ll be in and out of those rain bands.
IS GEORGIA UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY? YES
Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency for all 159 counties in Georgia.
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency will activate the State Operations Center on Friday afternoon to monitor Isaias’ progress and work with other agencies on both a state and local level.
The order also allows Kemp to call up to 500 Georgia National Guard troops.
“We’re not trying to cause any panic here, because we’re not. We just want to be overly prepared in case something changes or if the storm moves,” the governor said.
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