Live updates: Tropical Storm Sally passed through Columbus overnight. Here’s what to know
Tropical Storm Sally passed through the Chattahoochee Valley in the overnight hours Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and wind to the area.
The category 2 hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm and made landfall near Gulf Shores, Alabama, Wednesday morning.
Potential flooding remains a concern for the Columbus area Thursday and through the weekend.
Latest forecast
8:12 a.m.
More showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast for today, some of which could produce heavy rainfall, according to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.
Rain should begin tapering off with a 30% chance of showers Thursday night through Friday night, the NWS says.
Power to be restored in area
Throughout the day, some Georgia Power residents in the area saw power outages. Thursday evening, Georgia Power sent out a press release saying that anybody still affected by power outages in the area would have their power restored by 8 p.m.
In the release, about 88,000 customers have had their power restored across the state since midnight.
Sally passes through Chattahoochee Valley
Sally brought heavy rain and winds to Columbus, and flooding remains a concern Thursday.
The storm dumped 6.51 inches of rain on the Columbus area, according to the NWS, with 4.47 of that coming over the last 12 hours. Power outages have been reported throughout Muscogee County.
A wind advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m. Thursday.
The Chattahoochee River, which affects Muscogee, Chattahoochee, and Lee and Russell counties, remains under a flood warning until 2 a.m. Sept. 20.
Flooding at Cooper Creek Park
Flooding was reported at Cooper Creek Park.
Parks and Rec Director Holli Browder said the park is designed to flood in the event of heavy rainfall similar to what the area experienced overnight. Over time, the water releases, a process that “doesn’t usually take long,” Browder said.
Parks and Rec is waiting for the water to recede before cleanup begins, Browder said.
School cancellations
Numerous schools in the area have canceled classes or moved to virtual instruction for Thursday as a precaution. Most classes and activities are on track to resume as normal on Friday.
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.
This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 8:37 AM.
