UPDATE 4:00 A.M. FRIDAY:
A Wind Advisory has been issued for Fannin; Gilmer; Union; Towns; Dawson; Lumpkin; White; Forsyth; Hall; Banks; Jackson; Madison; and Athens-Clarke counties. Sustained winds of 25-30 mph are expected with occasional gusts to 40 mph.
UPDATE 11:00 P.M. THURSDAY :
Though the Wind Advisory that was in effect all day and into the night Thursday has expired there’s still a chance for some damaging winds into Friday.
In fact, just a few hours ago there was another tree down and across a Hall County road, according to the sheriff’s office. A Facebook post said it blocked the southbound lanes of I-985 near Exit 8 for a time.
Gusty winds prevailed throughout most of the day and they may continue Friday with more 35 mph gusts possible. The top gust Thursday at the Gainesville airport was 47 mph. That occurred just before 6:00 p.m.
UPDATE 11:00 A.M.. THURSDAY: :
Jackson EMC says it had about 7,000 outages at the height of the stormy weather. “We had around 7,000 total outages across our service territory – some of those in Hall County,” spokeswoman Wendy Jones said late Thursday morning. “There are currently a few outages in Gwinnett County – but all others have been restored.”
EARLIER POST: 7:30 A.M. THURSDAY:
A wind advisory is in effect for Hall and surrounding counties today. There have already been unconfirmed reports of downed trees and power outages in the Gainesville area.
Though Gainesville received less than an inch of rain overnight, Georgia News Network reports some areas around and south of Macon were soaked with more than two inches. Severe weather threats are causing school systems from Columbus to Albany and other areas to delay the start of class. Power outages reached around 90,000 statewide.
In addition, weather is going to affect the first golf major of the year today. The Augusta National Golf Club announced gates at the Masters are under a delayed opening for now until a further decision can be made. Rain and thunderstorms are possible until around noon, but windy conditions will stick around.
Speaking of wind, the top gust reported at the Gainesville airport overnight was 39 mph. That was about midnight.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ADVISORY:
“…WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING…
- WHAT, Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
- WHERE, Much of north and central Georgia.
- WHEN, Until 8 PM EDT this evening.
- IMPACTS, Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.”