FEMA warns of potential flooding, urges residents in path of tropical storm to prepare

Forecasters project Tropical Cyclone 4 to develop into Tropical Storm Debby in the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend, and its path is projected to cross over south Georgia after making landfall in Western Florida.

FEMA is urging residents in those projected areas to prepare ahead of time for potential flooding and severe weather.

"As the system moves north, it may bring flooding and other hazardous conditions to portions of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina," a FEMA release said. "Residents in the path of the storm should expect heavy rainfall over the weekend and into next week."

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FEMA issues the following tips for those in the storm's path:

• Be prepared for the hazards the storm may bring. This storm may bring rainfall, coastal and flash flooding and wind far from the center track of the storm along the coast of Florida. As the storm travels inland, it may bring heavy rainfall to areas in Florida and along the southeast coast from Georgia to North Carolina into next week.
• Have a plan. Know how you will keep yourself, your family and your pets safe if flooding is forecast for your area. Make sure you consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if you aren’t together when flooding starts. Visit. Ready.gov or Listo.gov for more information on how to stay safe before, during and after floods.
• Stay safe during flooding . Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Remember, just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. Stay off bridges over fast-moving water and never drive around barricades, local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
• Be in the know to evacuate safely . Evacuate immediately, if told to do so. To plan for evacuation , it’s important to know your risks, know what to bring, know when and where to go and know trusted information sources.
• Keep important documents safe. Having your financial and medical records and important contact information will be crucial to help you start the recovery process quickly. Keep important documents in a waterproof container on a high shelf or upper level of your home. Create password-protected digital copies and move valuables to higher levels.

Timeline for Tropical Cyclone in Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Cyclone 4 is expected to strengthen over the gulf into Tropical Storm Debbie and make landfall Sunday night in the eastern Florida panhandle. It will move across south Georgia late Sunday through Tuesday morning, according to recent models, before moving along the east coast.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: FEMA warns of potential flooding, urges residents in path of tropical storm to prepare