Bracing For Nicole: Chatham, Other Counties Under Tornado Watch

SAVANNAH, GA — Chatham County is among multiple counties under a tornado watch until 7 p.m. Thursday due to Tropical Storm Nicole, according to the National Weather Service.

Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Ware and Wayne counties are also under the tornado watch.

A tropical storm warning and a storm surge watch remain for Chatham, including the Savannah Airport, Hunter Army Airfield, Ossabaw Island, Tybee Island and Bloomingdale.

According to Chatham County officials Thursday, gusty winds can be anticipated through Friday. Tropical storm force gusts are possible.

According to the county, the possibility for isolated tornadoes is strongest Thursday evening. There is still a potential for 2 to 3 inches of rain, most affecting the coast, officials said. Coastal flooding remains a concern.

Officials said though Chatham is no longer in Nicole's cone of uncertainty, local impact is still probable with Nicole's wind field, consisting of rain bands, spanning more than 400 miles wide.

"With the increased chances of gusty winds and isolated tornadoes, certain locations could experience an increased chance of power outages throughout Chatham County," officials said.

Afternoon school activities were canceled Thursday due to Nicole, according to the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. The school system has not yet said if school will be canceled Friday.

Nicole made landfall in Florida early Thursday morning as a hurricane, according to The Weather Channel. The storm left in its path coastal flooding, beach erosion, strong winds, high surf, heavy rain and tornadoes — all forecast to continue in other parts of the southeast, the mid-Atlantic and northeast through Friday.

"Early Thursday morning, Nicole became just the fourth November hurricane to landfall in the mainland U.S. in records dating to the mid-19th century, and the first to do so in 37 years," according to the Weather Channel.

As of midday Thursday, weather officials tracked Nicole to north Florida. The Weather Channel reported bands of rain were rotating through north and central Florida and into south Georgia and South Carolina.

The Chatham County Emergency Management Agency offers natural disaster preparedness tips.