Irma weakens to tropical storm, continues its crawl to Columbus

Hurricane Irma weakened to a tropical storm at 8 a.m., but is still producing wind gusts at near-hurricane force, the National Weather Service announced.

At 8 a.m., Irma was about 105 miles north-northwest of Tampa and continuing on a path toward the Columbus area. It is expected to reach the Columbus area by the mid-afternoon and to lash the Valley with rain and strong winds into the night.

“The center of Irma will move near the northwestern coast of the Florida Peninsula this morning, cross the eastern Florida Panhandle into southern Georgia this afternoon, and move through southwestern Georgia and eastern Alabama tonight and Tuesday,” the National Weather Service predicts. “Additional slow weakening is forecast, and Irma is expected to weaken to a tropical depression by Tuesday afternoon.”

Maximum sustained winds around now approximately 70 mph, with gusts approaching hurricane strength. Those winds extend as far as 60 miles, mostly to the west of center. Tropical-storm-force winds extend nearly 415 miles from the center.

Tropical-storm-force winds remain the most dangerous and severe possible impact from this storm, experts say.

“The greatest impacts from Irma will be felt with winds increasing to 40 to 50 mph with gusts near 70 mph along and east of the center of the storm track by early this afternoon. Because of the wet spring and early summer, the forecasted wind speeds will easily bring trees down across the area which will also lead to widespread power outages,” the National Weather Service said.

The National Weather Service advised Columbus residents to prepare for damage to porches, sheds, unanchored carports and other freestanding constructs. Roadway signs and fences could be blown over, and some roads could become impassable due to debris from snapped tree trees and branches.

The storm is expected to further weaken as it moves through Columbus and then northwest through Alabama and into Tennessee. It could remain a dangerous storm throughout that time.

This story was originally published September 11, 2017 at 8:54 AM with the headline "Irma weakens to tropical storm, continues its crawl to Columbus."