Across Florida’s panhandle and into southeast and central Georgia, residents are urged to keep an eye on strengthening Tropical Storm Michael.
Early Monday, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center advised Michael is expected to track northward through the Gulf of Mexico early this week.
The warm waters could intensify the storm to near major hurricane status before landfall late Wednesday somewhere near Florida’s big bend although the cone of uncertainty covers the panhandle.
The cone shows where the center of the storm is expected to track, but effects could be felt outside that zone.
While coastal areas and extreme southeast Georgia are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, Michael is expected to pack a punch as far inland as Middle Georgia which is expected to feel tropical storm force winds over 39 mph.
Projections show up to a 60 percent chance of tropical storm force winds from Columbus to Macon to Augusta.
Last September, parts of Macon sustained heavy wind damage when weakening Tropical Storm Irma tore through Georgia.
As of the 5 a.m. Monday advisory, up to 10 inches of rain is expected near where the storm makes landfall and into southeast Georgia.
Computer forecast models show the storm tracking toward Macon before turning to the northeast and heading into the Carolinas while maintaining tropical storm status.
People living south and east of Macon could see up to 6 inches of rain while 2-4 inches is expected as far west as Columbus.
The forecast is subject to change and everyone is urged to monitor storm updates.
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