Hurricane Isaias Is Now A Category 3 Hurricane: East Point And Metro Atlanta Impact To Be Felt Later Today, Tomorrow: Flood Watch In Effect, Governor Declares Statewide State Of Emergency: How To Prepare

Residents in East Point and the greater metro Atlanta area are rushing to secure their homes and stock up on necessary items as precautions today: This is in anticipation of a powerful tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico threatens to disrupt the weekend with damaging winds, torrential rain, and the threat of tornadoes and flooding.

With Hurricane Isaias–now a Category 3 hurricane–projected to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Friday night or early Saturday morning, its intense outer bands are expected to push directly into North Georgia. In anticipation of widespread impacts, Governor Brian Kemp has declared a statewide State of Emergency for all 159 counties in the state, activating the State Operations Center to coordinate emergency response teams.

Dangerous Winds and Flooding Feared

Meteorologists warn that the worst of the weather will slam the metro area overnight Friday and persist throughout Saturday, before gradually clearing out by Sunday afternoon. Metro Atlanta remains under both a Flood Watch and a High Wind Watch.

Forecasters expect sustained east winds of 15 to 25 mph, with destructive gusts reaching 40 to 50 mph on Saturday. Officials are particularly concerned that the combination of high winds and rain-soaked soil will easily topple shallow-rooted trees and snap utility lines, causing widespread power outages and blocking critical roadways.

In addition to wind risks, the region is bracing for 2 to 4 and up to 5 inches of tropical rainfall. Local water infrastructure is expected to face severe stress, raising the likelihood of flash flooding in low-lying areas, overwhelmed storm drains, and rapidly swelling creeks. Emergency managers also caution that Georgia’s position on the eastern side of the storm’s rotation creates a heightened risk of brief, rapid-onset tornadoes embedded within Saturday’s rainbands.

Widespread Cancellations and Disruptions

The impending storm has already forced the cancellation of numerous weekend activities across the region:

School Activities: Districts including Douglas and Henry counties have canceled all Saturday athletic competitions, band events, and extracurricular activities.

College Football: While Georgia Tech still plans to host Duke University at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday afternoon, surrounding regional games are shifting logistics; the University of Alabama has already banned Friday tailgating setups ahead of their matchup in Tuscaloosa.

Community Events: Local festivals and weekend markets throughout metro Atlanta are rapidly announcing closures or scheduling adjustments.

Officials Urge Immediate Preparation

Local authorities are urging residents to finalize all emergency preparations before nightfall on Friday. Homeowners are advised to clear nearby storm drains, secure loose outdoor furniture, and fully charge all cell phones and backup battery banks.

Because rapid-onset tornadoes can form with very little warning, emergency officials stress the importance of having at least two independent ways to receive weather alerts—such as a NOAA weather radio or smartphone alerts—rather than relying solely on outdoor sirens.

Securing Homes and Vehicles

With high winds expected to hit saturated soils, the threat of falling trees and snapping limbs is a primary concern for the heavily canopied neighborhoods of East Point. Authorities are advising residents to park vehicles away from large trees and power lines.

Homeowners are also instructed to bring all outdoor items indoors—including patio furniture, trash cans, and potted plants—to prevent them from becoming dangerous airborne projectiles. Additionally, clearing gutters and nearby storm drains of debris is highly recommended to mitigate localized street flooding.

Outage and Tornado Readiness

The National Weather Service has cautioned that high winds could trigger widespread, long-duration power outages. Residents are urged to charge all essential electronics and portable power banks immediately.

Because the threat of isolated tornadoes is expected to persist overnight Friday and into Saturday, emergency personnel emphasize the importance of having multiple ways to receive warnings. Residents should ensure that Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are enabled on their smartphones and keep a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio close by. Families should also designate an interior, windowless room on the lowest floor of their home as a dedicated storm shelter.

Essential Supplies and Travel Warnings

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) recommends that every household maintain a three-day emergency kit. Essential items include three gallons of water per person, non-perishable food, flashlights with extra batteries, and a first-aid kit with necessary prescription medications. Officials strictly advise against using candles due to the elevated risk of fire.

As weather conditions worsen, public safety officials are instructing motorists to stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary. Drivers are strictly reminded to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” if they encounter flooded intersections, and to treat all downed power lines as live, dangerous hazards.