Live updates: Tropical Storm Sally makes landfall in Alabama. How will it impact Columbus?
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about Tropical Storm Sally as it moves across the Southeast.
The category 2 hurricane, that has since been downgraded to a tropical storm, made landfall near Gulf Shores, Alabama Wednesday morning and its outer bands are expected to impact east Alabama and west Georgia throughout the week.
Heavy rain and potential flooding are the primary concerns for the Columbus area.
Latest forecast
9:32 p.m.
As 1 to 3 inches of heavy rain has fallen, the the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning until 3:15 a.m. Thursday for the following western Georgia counties: Chattahoochee, Marion, Muscogee, Schley, Stewart, Sumter and Webster.
People should move immediately to higher ground and avoid walking or driving through flood waters, the Weather Service reports.
8:57 p.m.
The Columbus-area will continue to be under a flash flood watch for most of the evening, according to the NWS.
6:30 p.m.
The city of Columbus has gotten nearly five inches of rain today, according to the NWS. The official precipitation total is 4.86 inches and expected to increase throughout the night.
2:41 p.m.
Sally has been downgraded to a tropical storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.
1:06 p.m.
This afternoon, Columbus residents should expect rain, which “could be heavy at times,” the NWS said. Winds will stay around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Winds are expected increase tonight as Sally continues on its track.
Rainfall amounts in excess of 4 inches are possible Wednesday night, according to the NWS Peachtree City.
9:48 a.m.
Lee County and Russell County, Alabama, remain under a flash flood watch until 1 p.m. Thursday. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain is possible today for Phenix City, with rainfall amounts in excess of 4 inches is possible Wednesday night, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham.
7:15 a.m.
Between 1 and 2 inches of rain are possible today in Columbus, the National Weather Service says. Bands of heavy rain will impact the area, increasing throughout the day and overnight tonight.
A flash flood watch goes into effect this afternoon.
COVID-19 testing canceled in Columbus
Testing for COVID-19 has been canceled in Columbus for Thursday due to predicted inclement weather, West Central Health District spokesperson Pam Kirkland said. Testing will resume Friday, weather permitting.
Weather Channel expert deployed to Columbus
There’s a philosophy on the Gulf Coast when it comes to hurricane season: if Weather Channel star Jim Cantore is in your town, run for cover.
Cantore and other meteorologists have been in New Orleans, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida covering Hurricane Sally.
And while Cantore isn’t coming to Georgia, the Weather Channel is sending an expert to Columbus on Wednesday. David Malkoff will be in town reporting on Sally.
School cancellations
Numerous schools in the area have canceled classes or moved instruction to completely online for Thursday, out of caution for now tropical storm Sally. All classes and activities are on track to resume as normal on Friday.
This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 8:09 AM.
