Tracking Idalia: Parts of Georgia under Hurricane Watch as storm continues path toward landfall

Here's what Georgia can expect from the storm.

Tropical Storm Idalia is gathering strength and is expected to become a Category 3 hurricane as it heads towards Florida and parts of Georgia by the middle of the week.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Idalia is expected to start moving generally northward while increasing its forward speed on Monday.

Idalia is expected to become a hurricane over the southeast Gulf. The storm will continue to strengthen on Tuesday while moving northward or north-northeastward over the eastern Gulf.

The storm is forecast to make landfall later Tuesday night along the northeast Gulf Coast, hitting parts of southern Georgia and Florida's west coast.

Idalia would be the first storm to hit the area this hurricane season and a potentially big blow to Florida, which is still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Ian almost a year ago.

Monday, the National Weather Service issued a Hurricane and Tropical Storm Warning for parts of Florida. Areas of South Georgia including Valdosta are under a Hurricane Watch with the chance of winds up to 110 miles per hour hitting the region within the next 36 hours. Four other counties are under a Tropical Storm Watch across the state.

Locally, a stalled front is bringing rains even before we feel any impact of Idalia. Thunderstorm activity will continue in the region on Monday and Tuesday.

A few storms may produce damaging downburst winds.

Heavy rainfall may also become a concern with widespread two day rainfall totals over and inch expected.

Localized rain amounts over three inches may lead to flooding concerns, especially in north Georgia on Monday.

Rain and thunderstorm activity should continue Wednesday and Thursday as Idalia moves through the region.

At this time, flooding from heavy rainfall appears to be the main concern for central and northern Georgia.

An additional one to five inches of rain are possible Wednesday and Thursday, with the highest amounts most likely occurring in central or east central Georgia.

As part of the preparations for the storm, Gov. Kemp has directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to activate the State Operations Center. There, partners from across the state will monitor the storm and get ready to react to any damage caused after it makes landfall.

"Thanks to our response partners on both the state and local levels, Georgia will be prepared for whatever Idalia will bring," Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement. "Rest assured, though the system will likely weaken before crossing our border, we’re not taking anything for granted. As the week progresses, I will work closely with GEMA/HS, the weather service, public safety organizations, and others to ensure we leave nothing to chance."

Officials are asking Georgians to keep a close eye on forecasts and start preparing for severe weather as soon as possible.

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