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    • Hurricane Milton brings strong winds to the coast of Savannah, Georgia
    Massachusetts

    Hurricane Milton brings strong winds to the coast of Savannah, Georgia

    Idris Bevan Posted on

    (This story has been updated to add new information.)

    The Savannah area is expected to feel Hurricane Milton’s strongest winds around midnight Thursday as the storm moves across the Florida peninsula.

    According to the National Weather Service, gusts of 35 to 40 mph are expected to continue through the afternoon before easing in the early evening.

    Rain is not expected to be a major factor in the Savannah area. According to the NWS, there is only a 30% chance of showers on Thursday, so inland flooding is not expected to be a problem, as was the case with Tropical Storm Debby.

    Off map: Savannah’s Helene experience shows that “lines and dots” when it comes to hurricane warnings can miss the mark

    “We know this could be largely a wind event, but then you’re talking about a wind event in a place that’s already affected by wind and rain,” Savannah Mayor Van Johson said Wednesday, referring to previous storms Debby and Helene, they moved around after we reached Florida. “So we know that branches that would have held up under normal circumstances may fall more easily.”

    Dennis Jones, executive director of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency, encouraged local business owners and residents to check their property for items that could be blown around by the expected strong winds.

    “We know there is still a lot of debris, not just on the side of the road, but on people’s property that hasn’t been cleaned up yet,” Jones said. “If there’s a way to ensure that, you might want to do that. Otherwise, we just need to make sure we monitor those conditions and respond to the flying debris.”

    He also suggested removing outdoor Halloween decorations.

    Chatham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chester Ellis said local law enforcement and the Georgia Department of Transportation would decide whether to close bridges because of strong winds, which are expected to ease significantly by around 2 a.m. Friday.

    Some coastal areas are likely to experience flooding Thursday through Friday, Jones added, as Highway 80 leads to Tybee Island and the causeway to Burnside Island may be impassable at times.

    Johnson urged anyone who encounters fallen trees in Savannah to call the city’s 311 number. Downed power lines should be reported to 911 or Georgia Power, he added.

    Savannah and Chatham County both declared states of emergency ahead of the storm.

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    Idris Bevan
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