Weather-watchers in Georgia and South Carolina are keeping close tabs on Tropical Storm Fred and Tropical Depression Grace as the storms cross into the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
The latest information on Tropical Storm Fred from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency said the storm has strengthened significantly and now has maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. Minimum wind speed for a category one hurricane is 74 mph.
GEMA expected rainfall and winds to increase in southwest Georgia on Aug. 16 before the center of the storm passed through that night and the morning of Aug. 17. Southwest Georgia is under a flash flood warning and a tornado watch through Tuesday morning. Portions of western and northern Georgia are under a flash flood watch. Up to six inches of rain and wind gusts of 50 mph are anticipated along the center of the storm track.
For the rest of Georgia, including the Augusta area, up to five inches of rain and winds of 20 mph to 35 mph should be expected. The National Weather Service’s hazardous weather outlook for the CSRA and Midlands of South Carolina indicate there may be periods of heavy rain from slow-moving showers and thunderstorms through Monday night. There also may be localized flooding of small streams and low-lying areas. Tuesday and Wednesday call for periods of heavy rain as the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred move off to the west.
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South Carolina Emergency Management Division said the Palmetto State will get rain and wind from Tropical Storm Fred. The Upstate could get 2 inches to 6 inches of rain with 1 inch to 2 inches across the rest of the state. SCEMD said the risk of flash flooding will be slight.
GEMA said Grace, which remains a tropical depression, shifted south significantly. It is expected to track near the Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday and the Gulf of Mexico on Friday. Both GEMA and SCEMD said Tropical Depression Grace will not post a threat to Georgia or South Carolina unless its path changes significantly.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
