Update to an earlier report: This article includes new information about a story we previously covered. Read our earlier report.
Coastal flooding could affect parts of Southeast Georgia from Saturday through Monday, with the greatest risk around high tide. Water levels at Fort Pulaski are forecast to rise to 10.4 feet by Monday, and the stated flood thresholds are associated with possible impacts to roads and coastal communities.
The Fort Pulaski projections, as of Friday morning, are 9 feet Friday, 9.8 feet Saturday, 10.1 feet Sunday and 10.4 feet Monday. Strong onshore winds and a full moon are part of the forecast conditions. Minor flooding begins at 9.5 feet, moderate flooding at 10 feet and major flood stage at 10.5 feet.
At the 10-foot moderate-flood level, Shipyard Road, Catalina Drive and Lewis Avenue would be impassable, and water would begin to encroach on Highway 80. The forecast also lists possible flooding on Wilmington Island, Coffee Bluff, Ossabaw Island, Sapelo Island and parts of Highway 17 south of Darien.
Monday’s projected level is 0.1 foot below major flood stage. At 10.5 feet, damaging flooding would be possible; Highway 80 could close and isolate Tybee Island, where significant flooding could affect numerous properties. The forecast notes that the chance of tidal-flooding impacts would increase if water rises higher than projected.
Friday is expected to be mostly sunny, with highs in the low to mid 70s and northeast winds of 5 to 10 mph. Highs Saturday and Sunday are also forecast in the low to mid 70s, with overnight lows in the low to mid 50s. Northeasterly gusts could reach 25 mph as a low-pressure system forms to the south and strengthens through Sunday.
High pressure is expected to remain dominant into next week as winds ease and temperatures climb. Highs are forecast to trend toward the upper 70s to near 80, while overnight lows approach the low to mid 50s.
Yolonda Harris
News Now Georgia
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