Hurricane Sally will continue to slowly move north toward the Gulf Coast through Wednesday morning. A couple tornadoes will be possible this evening and into the overnight hours as embedded super-cells reach the coast.So far, there have not been any reported or confirmed tornadoes associated with Sally. However, this is likely to change over the next several hours.
“This threat has been limited thus far today, but is expected to increase by late this afternoon and evening as the center of Sally drifts northward,” the SPC warned in their discussion.
“A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area,” according to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC).
“Sally is expected to bring heavy rain across north and central GA from Wed through Saturday morning. Widespread 2-4″ are possible with an axis of higher totals of 6″+ along the I-85 corridor,” the National Weather Service office in Atlanta said on Tuesday.
The storm’s slow movement already caused flooding roads in Pascagoula, Mississippi on Tuesday.
Road and bridge closures due to ,,Sally”
- Pensacola International Airport has suspended operations for all arriving and departing commercial aircraft.
- The Pensacola Bay Bridge on U.S. 98 is closed to all traffic.
- The Theo Baars Bridge (State Road (S.R.) 292/Gulf Beach Parkway) is closed due to high winds.
- The U.S. 98 bridge over Perdido Bay is closed due to high winds.
- U.S. 98 is closed at Paradise Lane due to flooding.
- U.S. 98 from North 13th Avenue to Baybridge Drive is closed due to flooding.
- S.R. 196 closed at East Romana Street due to flooding.
- Road and rail along the east-west artery of Interstate 10 is at high risk for disruption, and aftereffects from eastern Louisiana to Pensacola, Florida, may last several days depending on the extent of any damage.
For more road closures click here
In case you are in the affected area, Matrix offers the following storm tips:
- Before a Storm: Know your risks of flooding or storm surge and tropical storm or hurricane strength winds. Check your emergency kit, unplug major appliances and charge cell phones in case you lose power.
- During a Storm: Take safe shelter inside a sturdy building away from windows and doors. Avoid contact with conductors of electricity – appliances, metal objects and water.
- After a Storm: Never touch any downed or low-hanging wire, including telephone or TV wires that touch a power line. Never pull tree limbs off of power lines yourself or enter areas with debris, downed trees or standing water as downed power lines may be buried in wreckage or submerged in water or mud.
Stacy Stewart, a senior specialist with the National Hurricane Center, said ,,This is going to be historic flooding along with the historic rainfall.If people live near rivers, small streams and creeks, they need to evacuate and go somewhere else.”
If you are a truck driver and have a load from/to this area, you better call your Dispatcher or Safety department.The hurricane will bring winds up to 85 miles per hour. Which is a major motivator for all truck drivers to shut down and wait it out. Rather than take any chances to keep freight moving anywhere near Sally’s path.
You can track Hurricane Sally here.