LOWNDES Co. – A Tropical Storm Watch and a Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Lowndes County and much of South Georgia as Tropical Depression 9 moves closer to shore, possibly becoming a hurricane before landfall.

Tropical Storm and Flash Flood Watches have been issued for Colquitt, Cook, Berrien, Decatur, Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Lowndes and Lanier Counties.

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee forecasts 30 to 40 mph winds with gusts up to 55 mph Thursday evening until Friday afternoon.

Periods of heavy rain are likely, especially Thursday afternoon through early Friday. Widespread rain amounts of three to six inches are expected with isolated amounts of eight to twelve inches.

Tropical Storm Warnings are now in effect for all offshore waters of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend areas, the adjacent coastal sections, as well as inland counties along Interstate 10 and east of the Apalachacola River.

Tropical Depression 9 continues slow movement to the north and is expected to become a tropical storm lat Wednesday and increase in forward speed and approach Florida Big Bend and Panhandle coastline Thursday night.

There is still some uncertainty on the intensity forecast and this system could become a hurricane prior to landfall. Therefore, Hurrican Watches remain in effect for the offshore waters and coastal sections of the Florida Big Bend, according to NWS.