TS Nicole: Chatham County Under Storm Surge, Tropical Storm Watches

SAVANNAH, GA — A storm surge watch and a tropical storm watch is in effect Tuesday for coastal Chatham, McIntosh, Liberty and Bryan counties due to Tropical Storm Nicole, according to weather officials.

There is a possibility for tropical storm-force winds and the movement of rising water inland from the coastline in the area over the next 48 hours, according to the National Weather Service's Charleston, South Carolina, office.

Savannah, Tybee Island and Ossabaw Island are under both watches.

Chatham County officials predict Nicole's most significant threat to the area is potential coastal flooding, starting Wednesday morning with high tide. The National Hurricane Center forecasted tropical storm conditions for the area, starting early Wednesday.

County officials said tropical storm force winds are possible through Friday while 2 to 4 inches of rain could come into Chatham from Nicole Thursday and Friday.

According to the NHC, a storm surge accompanied by "large and damaging waves" is forecast for portions of coastal Georgia. The NHC said flash and urban flooding is possible for southeast Georgia Thursday through Thursday night due to Nicole.

Nicole was outside of the Bahamas at the NHC's 1 p.m. update Tuesday. Hurricane conditions are expected for parts of southeast and east-central Florida, starting late Wednesday or late Wednesday night, according to the NHC.

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