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Archived Events Tropical Storm Fay
Released Aug. 20, 2008:
At 11:00 PM on August 20, 2008, the National Weather Service issued a Tropical Storm WARNING for our area. The WARNING was estimated to be in affect throughout the day today. At 8:00 AM this morning, TS FAY was located near latitude 29.1 N, longitude 80.7 W, or about 240 miles south of Chatham County near Daytona Beach, FL with very little movement reported over the last few hours. A slow motion toward the west-northwest is forecast to begin later today and continue for the next couple of days. This track will move TS FAY slowly across the northern Florida Peninsula and very near the Gulf Coast of the Florida Panhandle by early Saturday.
Bands of rain or “squalls” being generated by and extending from TS FAY will directly affect weather conditions in our area throughout the day today. Intermittent periods of heavy rains and strong winds, with gusts near 35 mph are possible within these arriving squalls. 1-2 inches of rain are possible which may cause some coastal flooding, especially during periods of high tides.
Possible local conditions include:
Coastal Chatham County – Thursday, August 21
• Winds along the coast 20-30 mph, gusts to 35 mph.
• Winds may cause damage to trees and power lines.
• Isolated threat of tornadoes possible.
• Possible storm surge of one foot.
• Minor to moderate beach erosion.
• Moderate to high rip currents.
Inland Chatham County – Thursday, August 21
• Winds 10-20 mph with no significant impact.
• Flash flooding is possible.
• Isolated threat of tornadoes possible.
It would be prudent to complete checks of emergency supplies, reviews of established hurricane plans and availability of assets, resources and personnel. Responsible Agencies should continue sharing information as appropriate.
The Emergency Operations Center is not activated.
Released Aug. 22, 2008:
CEMA Remains in Operating Condition 4
A Tropical Storm WARNING and Flash Flood WARNING remain in effect.
Overnight, wind gusts associated with TS FAY are believed to be responsible for a utility pole breaking and causing a power outage to approximately 9000 customers on Talahi, Wilmington and Tybee Islands. As of 7:45 AM, approximately 6100 customers (mostly on Tybee) remained without power. Georgia Power expects repairs to be completed and service restored by mid-morning.
At 1:25 AM this morning, the National Weather Service issued a Tornado WARNING for an area that included portions of Chatham County. The WARNING was the result of a strong weather cell that had come on-shore in a storm band produced by TS FAY. Weather radar indicated a cell in the area of Bluffton, SC capable of producing tornado activity. There was an unconfirmed report of a possible tornado touching down in the Bluffton area. The cell was moving NNW and was expected to move across the extreme northern areas of Chatham County. The Tornado Warning expired at 2:15 AM without impacting Chatham County and there were no additional reports.
At 8:00 AM this morning, TS FAY was located near latitude 29.6N, longitude 82.4W, just West of Gainesville, FL or about 200 miles south of Savannah. FAY is moving toward the West near 6 mph, with this general motion expected to continue for the next day or two. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to approximately 45 mph, with TS force winds extending outward up to 140 miles.
Over the next 36 hours TS FAY is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 4-8 inches affecting parts of Southern Georgia. Storm surge flooding of 2-4 feet above normal tides is possible along the portions of the Georgia Coast. Isolated tornadoes are possible today over portions of Southeastern Georgia.
The Emergency Operations Center is not activated.
