Tee Johnson in Atlanta

Tropical Storm Ian Watch: How To Prepare For A Big Storm In Georgia

Ian has been downgraded to a tropical storm but is still capable of producing deadly winds and storm surge, weather experts said early Thursday. Along with battering Florida, the storm is still expected to impact parts of Georgia and South Carolina with strong winds and heavy rains over the next few days.

This article will tell you how Tropical Storm Ian is expected to impact Georgia as well as what steps you should take to stay safe in a major storm.

When Will Hurricane Ian Hit Georgia?

Weather experts predict that Tropical Storm Ian will move into Georgia on Friday afternoon into Saturday morning.

Coastal Georgia will bear the brunt of Hurricane Ian, including cities Brunswick and Savannah, which are likely to see waves of torrential rain and storm surge. While it will still be a major storm, Ian should shrink in size in strength by the time it hits the Peach State. This is mainly due to its weakening over land for a significant period of time. That doesn’t mean that Georgia is out of the woods though. Some areas will see flooding while others will only get wind sheer, including parts of North Georgia. The storm is expected to lap metro Atlanta, affecting some of its outer counties with wind and rain.

What Will Be Tropical Storm Ian’s Impact On Georgia?

While the ranges vary, weather forecasters say coastal Georgia could see anywhere from four to six inches of rain along with tropical-storm-like winds.

Here is Ian’s projected path according to National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration early Thursday.

Photo credit: NOAA

Take These Safety Steps To Stay Safe In A Major Storm

In the event that a major storm hits Georgia, including metro Atlanta, there are some things you can do to prevent the worst of conditions from occurring.

Buy A Generator

Most appliance stores sell either whole-house or portable generators, which are sufficient for major storms and hurricanes.

Remember to never run a generator in an enclosed space. They generate deadly fumes that can kill you. Here are some top portable generators you can purchase.

Champion Power Equipment 100519 6250-Watt Open Frame Inverter

Stock Up On Canned Goods

You’d be surprised how good some food in a can tastes when you’re starving. Hopefully, you never have to find out, but to be safe, it’s a good idea to have some canned goods stored for a rainy day.

Here are some food stuffs you should invest in:

Swanson Chicken & Dumplings W/ White & Dark Chicken Meat

Have A Go-Bag Ready

When it’s time for you to flee your home, it can be very hectic trying to find the items you will think you need to take with you. That’s why it’s always a good idea to prepare a go-bag — a book sack or bag filled with your necessities — so that you can be on the move in a hurry.

What are some things to put in a go-bag?

Final Word

Although your emotions may run high during a storm, it’s very important that you stay level-headed and make safety of you and yours a priority.

Georgia doesn’t often get hurricanes, but they do happen from time to time.

Another key thing you can do is tell someone where you are. Don’t go in alone in a big storm. If you can communicate to someone ahead of time, before the storm, tell them where you’ll likely be; it will be a big help. The good thing that you should always remember is that storms pass!

Next Read: Candler Park Fall Festival Is Happening This Weekend »

Tee Johnson: Tee Johnson is the co-founder of AtlantaFi.com and as an unofficial ambassador of the city, she's a lover of all things Atlanta. She writes about Travel News, Events, Business, Hair Care (Wigs!) and Money.