LOWNDES CO. – The latest Hurricane Debby updates from Lowndes County Emergency Management.
UPDATES:
Lowndes County Emergency Management Hurricane Debby Release #01-8/05/2024-12:30AM
Lowndes County, Georgia: Lowndes County Emergency Management has officially activated the Emergency Operations Center. Responders from across the community, representing local governments, state agencies, utilities, healthcare and more will monitor conditions and initiate response as needed. According to the latest briefing from the Tallahassee Division of the National Weather Service, heavy rain bands will begin around 3:00 a.m. Severe weather to include continued rain is expected around day break and expected to last throughout the day.
A Hurricane Warning and a Flood Watch remain in effect for Lowndes County. As of now, the biggest concern is rainfall with the forecast still indicating 10-15 inches of rain in Lowndes County. Rivers are currently expected to crest at Skipper Bridge on Friday, August 9 and Highway 84 on Saturday, August 10. Being that river levels are already high and soils are saturated, flooding is expected. In some instances where minor flooding occurs, sandbags may help. Citizens that lived in Lowndes County during the flood of 2009, will remember that rising water quickly overcame sandbags. Citizens should decide if time is better spent combating water with sandbags or moving belongings above floor levels or out of structures. If you have experienced water in your home or business in the past due to river flooding, you may experience flooding due to Hurricane Debby. Boil water advisories may be issued in the event well heads are submerged.
Wind also remains a threat. Strong tropical storm force winds will arrive later this morning and may range between 58-73 mph. Be prepared to lose power. Local public works crews, utilities, fire departments and law enforcement are standing by to clear roads as conditions will allow. Local utilities have additional crews staged in Lowndes County so that power can be restored after roads are cleared.
Flash flooding will occur as a result of heavy rain. Please shelter in place during periods of severe weather. Do not under any circumstances attempt to drive across a flooded road, street or bridge.
Please call 911 only in the case of an emergency.
We encourage all Lowndes County residents to follow a few links that will provide the most up-to-date information for our area during Hurricane Debby:
- National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov
- National Weather Service, Tallahassee: www.weather.gov/tae/
- Lowndes County Code Red Sign Up: www.lowndescounty.com and click on the CodeRed icon.
- EMA Lowndes Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LowndesEMA
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
This is a Code Red Alert from Lowndes County Emergency Management. Tropical Storm Debby is expected to impact Lowndes County with significant wind and rain, which could lead to extensive damage. Debby is forecast to bring Tropical Storm force winds greater than 39 mph to Lowndes County as early as 2AM tonight. These winds are likely to cause downed trees and widespread outages. Those without adequate shelter to withstand tropical storm conditions or who depend on electricity for life-sustaining medical devices should make alternate plans now. For those unable to make alternate arrangements, a shelter of last resort will be available at Park Avenue Church, 100 E Park Ave in Valdosta, beginning at 9 PM tonight. Minimal amenities will be available as this shelter is intended only to provide safe shelter for those without other options.
In addition to the wind, rainfall totals of 10-15 inches are being forecast for Lowndes County. This will produce dangerous Flash Flooding as the heavy rains fall and could produce widespread flooding, especially near rivers and creeks, in the coming days as runoff fills the local basin. Forecasters are warning that flooding in South GA and North FL could reach historic levels, so those in areas prone to flooding should begin preparing now. Flooding will likely occur even outside of designated flood zones.
Additional information will be provided at www.lowndescounty.com and on the EMA Lowndes Facebook page. Please do not call 911 for any non-emergency requests. 911 should only be used if you need a response from the fire department, law enforcement, or emergency medical services. Call your local power company to report power outages, and you can call the Lowndes County EOC at (229) 671-2790 for other non-urgent information and requests.
