Georgia has been spared the worst of Hurricane Milton as it continues moving into the Atlantic Ocean, but the coast remains under storm surge and tropical storm warnings.
The Category 3 storm made landfall near Florida’s Siesta Key, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Sarasota, according to the National Hurricane Center. Early Thursday, the storm moved into the Atlantic after crossing the Florida peninsula.
As of the NHC’s 11 a.m. update Thursday, the now-Category 1 storm was moving about 20 mph, and its center was over the Atlantic about 135 miles east of Cape Canaveral. With a windfield of up to 300 miles, however, coasts along Florida, Georgia and even portions of southern South Carolina are still feeling its impact.
The NHC said coastal Georgia can expect storm surges of 3-5 feet along with tropical storm conditions through the afternoon thanks to Milton’s counterclockwise motion that could push water onto the coasts from central Florida all the way to the Altamaha Sound in Georgia.
“Use caution after the storm as deadly hazards remain, including downed power lines and flooded areas,” the NHC warned.
In anticipation of Milton, Georgia’s state of emergency, which has been in place since Hurricane Helene for counties near the Florida and South Carolina borders as well as near the coast, was extended.
“For as long as needed, we will work with those on the local level to ensure resources are available for those who need them following this devastating storm,” Gov. Brian Kemp wrote on X.
Forecast path for Milton
Several Georgia hotels and campgrounds opened their doors to evacuees. In metro Atlanta, for example, Atlanta Motor Speedway and the National Indoor RV Centers opened their sites to those needing a place to stay. Georgia State Parks have also been open to RVs and campers.
Robert Williams and his wife, Paula, arrived at the speedway Tuesday after fleeing their home in Clermont, Florida.
“My wife says, ‘We’re not staying.’ I go, ‘You’re right, we’re not staying,’” Robert Williams told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “So (we) loaded up the motorhome and came, just going north.”
The couple stayed in Macon overnight and drove further north after Paula Williams heard about Atlanta Motor Speedway’s campground on Facebook.
“We tried to get camping spots all the way up to Savannah ... but they were all full,” Robert Williams said.
Credit: John Spink/AJC
Credit: John Spink/AJC
Due to evacuations, Georgia’s interstates saw large increases in traffic volume, the Georgia Department of Transportation said Tuesday. Volume on I-75 was four times higher than historical averages and, by 8 a.m. Tuesday, the volume on I-75 North was 280% higher than normal between the Florida border and Macon.
Little to no impacts are expected in North and Middle Georgia, according to the National Weather Service’s Peachtree City office. Some areas could experience a 20-30-mph breeze.
No rain is expected through the weekend. Temperatures will also feel more like fall across the Atlanta metro area, according to the NWS. Highs will stay in the mid to upper 70s and lows will dip into the 50s. But the 80-degree temps will be back by Sunday.
» For a detailed forecast, visit www.ajc.com/weather.
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— Staff writers Rosie Manins and Henri Hollis contributed to this article.
