Hurricane Watch Issued For Savannah: National Weather Service

SAVANNAH, GA — Savannah is under a storm surge watch and hurricane watch through Monday as category three Hurricane Irma moves west-northwest, according to an advisory from the National Weather Service. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

A storm surge watch means life-threatening flooding is possible in the area within the next 48 hours.

The advisory says peak wind forecast for Hurricane Irma is 35-45 mph with gusts to 60 mph. As of Saturday morning, winds are sustained at 125 mph.

Tropical Storm force winds are expected early Monday morning until early Tuesday morning. Irma is supposed to travel to southern Georgia by Monday afternoon, officials say.

The current threat to life and property is moderate, says The National Weather Service. Emergency planning is recommended for strong tropical storm force wind of 58-73 mph. "To be safe, earnestly prepare for the potential of significant wind impacts," the warning reads.

About 12-14 inches of rainfall is possible, which could result in significant flooding. Officials say several areas could experience rapid flooding at underpasses, low-lying spots and poor drainage areas.

Watch: Georgia Coastal Residents Instructed To Evacuate

See Related:

• Hurricane Irma: Evacuation Zone Times For Chatham County
• Hurricane Irma: List Of Georgia Evacuation Shelters, Where To Take Pets
• Hurricane Irma: Savannah Evacuees Get Free Bus Service To Staging Area
• Hurricane Irma: Check Savannah Grocery Store Hours Here
• Southeast Georgia Evacuations Ordered, Red Cross Shelter Locations
• Hurricane Irma: Almost 3 Million Predicted To Be Without Power, Including Georgians
• Hurricane Irma: Georgia Ports To Close In Savannah, Brunswick
• Hurricane Irma: 'Freight Train' Of A Storm Barrels Toward Florida, Georgia, Carolinas

This situation is favorable for tornadoes, according to the weather advisory. Emergency planning should include a reasonable threat to scattered tornadoes, with a few possibly strong ones. Listen for tornado watches and warnings and be ready to shelter quickly if a tornado approaches.

The Evacuation Assembly Area (EAA) is open at the Savannah Civic Center as of 8 a.m. Residents will board buses at the EAA and travel to an inland county shelter, officials said. The EAA will stop accepting passengers at 7 p.m. Saturday. Officials urge residents to arrive at the EAA in the morning to ensure a spot on the bus.

The hurricane brought 180-mile-per-hour winds and sheets of rain as it moved past Puerto Rico on Thursday, according to media reports and hovered over Cuba Saturday morning. But by the time Irma reaches Georgia early next week, it will have petered out into a tropical storm system, say forecasters.

Important contact information:

• To find a shelter please call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
• Citizens can report price gouging by calling the Georgia Department of Law's Consumer Protection Unit at 404-651-8600 or 1-800-869-1123.
• City's hurricane website and Chatham County's emergency website.

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