Tropical Storm Warning for Upson County: Prepare for Winds, Flooding, Tornadoes

UPSON COUNTY, GA – The National Weather Service (NWS) Peachtree City has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Upson County, effective immediately as of October 9 at 5:16 PM EDT. This warning affects Thomaston and surrounding areas. Residents are urged to complete all preparations now.

The NWS forecasts peak winds of 10-20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph, with potential for sustained winds of 39 to 57 mph. Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes is possible. Expect many large tree limbs to break, and some trees may snap or uproot, especially in shallow-rooted areas. Limited power and communications outages are anticipated. Residents should act now to secure property before hazardous winds begin.

A Flood Watch is also in effect. Additional rainfall amounts of 3-6 inches, with locally higher totals, are expected. This could lead to moderate flooding, prompting potential evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen, and small streams could overflow. Flood waters may enter some structures. Heed any flood watches and warnings; failure to take action could result in serious injury or loss of life.

The situation is favorable for tornadoes, with a potential for several, some of which could be intense with larger damage paths. Scattered tornadoes can hinder emergency plans, causing significant damage, power loss, and communications failures. Those in manufactured homes or on boats should relocate to safe shelter. Listen for tornado watches and warnings and be ready to shelter quickly if one is issued.

This warning expires October 10 at 1:30 AM UTC. For more information on family emergency plans, visit ready.gov/hurricanes. Local weather conditions and forecasts are available at weather.gov/atlanta.