Flooding, Tropical-Storm Force Winds Possible With Milton In GA

GEORGIA — As recovery from Hurricane Helene heads into its second week, forecasters told Patch some Georgia cities may not escape Hurricane Milton's wrath.

Though Milton will not directly travel through the Peach State, its wind field is expected to bring impacts to southeast and coastal Georgia, as well as southeast South Carolina.

Milton strengthened to a Category 5 on Monday, causing widespread concern for Florida residents who are still reeling from Helene. The latter storm slammed north Florida as a Category 4 system in the night hours of Sept. 26 before heading north across Georgia.

The National Hurricane Center predicted Milton will make landfall after 7 a.m. Wednesday in central Florida. The system was traveling at 155 mph in the Gulf of Mexico as of early Monday afternoon.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development said Florida evacuation ahead of Milton is expected to be the Sunshine State's "largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017."

The economic department has issued a travel alert, which will offer current travel information and resources while guiding evacuees to areas available to them. Visitor services and emergency resources are factors of the alert.

Life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds were possible for west Florida starting Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Parts of the region are under a hurricane watch.

The impacts from Milton are expected to travel along coastal Georgia starting Wednesday evening, said Brian Adam, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Charleston, South Carolina office.

Adam told Patch the effects of Milton could venture through Thursday but may clear by Friday.

Georgia and South Carolina beaches are at risk for dangerous rip currents until 8 p.m. Monday.

Tropical-storm force winds may blow through the Savannah area and other parts of the coast Wednesday evening and possibly overnight into Thursday.

Wind speeds could reach 45-50 mph, potentially higher, through Thursday morning, Adam said. Winds may lessen further inland, he added.

Also, on Thursday, high tide levels may trigger coastal flooding issues. Adam said northeasterly winds could increase tide levels. He urged residents, especially those along the Hilton Head area, to take heed of rising water levels.

The coast could see 2-4 inches of rainfall from Milton, Adam said.

On the other side of the coin, NWS Peachtree City meteorologist Laura Belanger said central and north Georgia are not in Milton's current path.

"Fingers crossed that this will continue to be a week that areas from Helene can dry out a little bit," she said.

Belanger told Patch that east central Georgia, including Vidalia and Swainsboro, could get up to 1 inch of rain and wind gusts of 25 mph from Milton. Wind gusts could elevate to 30 mph.

"For Ga, this could be an impactful system in seeing the evacuees come up here and less from the actual impact on the area," she said of Milton.

"Georgia’s Visitor Information Centers are ready to assist evacuees with identifying and travel information. Each facility offers clean restrooms, parking, outdoor space to walk pets and more," the economic department said in a news release.

Georgia centers are open daily from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and restrooms are open around-the-clock at the Valdosta, St. Marys and Port Wentworth (Savannah) centers, which are situated on or near evacuation routes.

For the most part, central and north Georgia can look forward to a "largely pleasant week" and a "nice intro to fall," Belanger said.

A frontal boundary will drop temperatures, and low cooling temperatures will cause a fall-like feel to the state.

After Monday, high temperatures will sit in the high to low 70s, while low temperatures will stay in the 50s. Belanger said some areas could experience temperatures in the 40s.

As of around 1:30 p.m. Monday, the National Weather Service predicted the following detailed forecast for metro Atlanta:

This Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 85. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 61. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 75.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 53.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 73.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 50.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76.

Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 52.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 79.