Gov. Kemp issues state of emergency ahead of potential tropical storm

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a state of emergency in Georgia ahead of a tropical depression that is expected to become a tropical storm.

Tropical Depression 4 is expected to become Tropical Storm Debby Saturday night before making landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast and crossing over to southeast Georgia and the Atlantic coast. It would be the fourth name storm of the 2024 season.

“As the state prepares for a major storm system early this coming week, we urge all Georgians to take precautions to keep their families and property safe,” Kemp said.

Predictions show the system could come ashore as strong tropical storm or hurricane on Monday and cross over northern Florida into the Atlantic Ocean, where it’s likely to remain a tropical storm threatening Georgia and the Carolinas early next week.

Tropical Depression state of emergency by Ellie Parker on Scribd

Tropical storm warnings were posted for most of Florida’s West Coast and the Dry Tortugas, and a hurricane watch was issued for parts of the Big Bend and Florida Panhandle. A warning means storm conditions are expected within 36 hours, while a watch means they are possible within 48 hours.

Tropical storms and hurricanes can trigger river flooding and overwhelm drainage systems and canals. Forecasters warned of 5 to 10 inches (125 mm to 250 mm) of rain, which could create “locally considerable” flash and urban flooding. Forecasters also warned of moderate flooding for some rivers along Florida’s West Coast.

Some of the heaviest rains could actually come next week in a region along the Atlantic Coast from Jacksonville, Florida, to the north through coastal regions of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The storm is expected to slow down after making landfall.

“We could see a stall or a meandering motion around coastal portions of the southeastern United States,” National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan said in a Saturday briefing. “So that’s going to exacerbate not just the rainfall risk, but also the potential for storm surge and some strong winds.”

The state of emergency makes state resources available to local governments.

The initial order lasts until Thursday night.