Isaias’ threat to Georgia: Prepare now for storm's impact

ATLANTA - Isaias continues to churn in the Gulf as it eyes making landfall as a tropical storm.

North Georgia and metro Atlanta residents should be prepared now for hazards beginning on Friday.

Here are some things you should do now to prepare.

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Isaias threatens Georgia

What we know:

Being on the "dirty side" (east/northeast side) of a landfalling tropical system brings three distinct hazards to metro Atlanta and North Georgia: saturated soil leading to uprooted trees/power outages due to Georgia's heavy canopy, localized flash flooding, and quick-moving spin-up tornadoes.

Because the calm weather holds through Thursday, you have a solid 24- to 36-hour window to get fully prepared before tropical moisture arrives Friday evening.

Tropical Storms in Georgia

The backstory:

Here are some common hazards with this type of storm:

1. Tree Topppling & Canopy Hazard: Georgia pine and hardwood trees sitting in rain-soaked soil can easily fall with gusts well under 40 mph. Outages won't just come from snapped limbs; entire trees will come down, blocking neighborhood egress.
2. Sump Pump & Basement Failures: With heavy rain over saturated ground, power outages mean sump pumps stop working, leading to rapid basement or terrace-level flooding.
3. Spin-Up Tornado Warning Speed: Tornadoes on the dirty side of tropical storms form rapidly inside outer rainbands with little lead time (often 5 minutes or less). Standard siren warnings may be too late if you rely solely on outdoor alarms.
4. Water Infrastructure Stress: Heavy runoff in metro Atlanta frequently leads to storm drain back-ups and occasional municipal water advisories or low-pressure events.

Homeowners checklist

What you can do:

Homeowners bear the burden of property protection and exterior drainage control.

• Clear Gutters and Downspouts: Remove leaves and debris so heavy rainfall drains away from your foundation. Ensure splash blocks direct water at least 5 feet from the home.
• Secure Exterior Items: Bring inside patio furniture, grills, trash cans, hanging plants, and yard ornaments. In 30–40 mph gusts, these turn into dangerous projectiles.
• Check Your Sump Pump: Test your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. If you don't have a battery backup, power outages could lead to a flooded basement.
• Identify Danger Trees: Park vehicles away from large trees or overhangs. If a large limb looks compromised, move cars to a open driveway spot or garage.
• Review Insurance Documents: Take photos/videos of every room and exterior structure today for quick documentation if tree or water damage occurs.

Renters & apartment residents checklist

Dig deeper:

Apartment residents face unique risks depending on floor level and building layout.

• Balcony & Patio Prep: Clear all balcony furniture, pots, and door mats. High winds at upper floor elevations are significantly stronger than at ground level.
• Lower Level / Garden Apartment Precautions: If you live on a ground floor or basement unit, move high-value electronics, documents, and rug corners off the floor in case of surface runoff breaches.
• Know Your Interior Tornado Safe Zone: Identify the innermost room on the lowest accessible level (a windowless interior hallway, closet, or bathroom). Do not stay in top-floor units or near exterior windows during tornado watches/warnings.
• Locate Main Shut-Offs / Emergency Contacts: Know how to contact emergency maintenance and where your main water shut-off or breaker box is located if a pipe bursts or ceiling leaks occur.

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General emergency supplies checklist

By the numbers:

Assemble these supplies before Friday afternoon so you are self-sufficient through Sunday night.

Power & Lighting:

• Charge all cell phones, laptops, and portable power banks completely by Thursday night.
• Set up LED lanterns or flashlights (avoid open candles due to fire hazards during wind events).

Food & Water:

• Store 1 gallon of drinking water per person per day for at least 3 days.
• Stock non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods that do not require electricity or gas to cook.
• Fill a bathtub with water for flushing toilets if municipal water pressure drops.

Communication & Safety:

• Enable Severe Weather Alerts on your smartphone and keep the device off "Silent" mode overnight Saturday.
• Obtain a NOAA Weather Radio or a battery-powered radio to monitor warnings during power loss.
• Keep sturdy shoes and a raincoat near your emergency shelter spot in case you must move quickly in the dark.

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