Sunday morning, a tropical storm warning was issued for most of north and central Georgia, as well as much of eastern Alabama. This includes nearly all of metro Atlanta, until further notice.
A tropical storm warning is issued when tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch that had been issued for the area Saturday night has now been extended northward to the Tennessee border.
A flash flood watch was issued late Saturday afternoon for 47 Georgia counties, including all of metro Atlanta, ahead of Hurricane Irma. According to the National Weather Service, the flood watches go into effect on Monday morning and will last through Tuesday.
As of Sunday morning at 11 am, 11Alive Meteorologist Samantha Mohr said Irma had emerged over the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and was moving northward at 9 mph. It made landfall in Marco Island, Florida around 3:30 p.m. and was later downgraded to a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph in the 5 p.m. weather advisory.
Once it comes ashore in Florida, it would begin to weaken as it moves northward in northern Florida and into Georgia. Areas to the right of the center of the storm would experience some of the strongest effects of the storm, including severe thunderstorms and possible spin-up tornadoes. As the storm comes ashore, tornado watches will be issued for areas along the storm's path.
The main threats for metro Atlanta at this point appear to be wind, with sustained winds between 25-35 mph and gusts up to 50 mph. We could also see between 3 to 5 inches of rain.
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