Isaias Triggers Flood Alerts Across Southeast After Weakening

Flood risks expanded across the Southeast as Isaias weakened into a post-tropical cyclone, with the system bringing torrential rain, flooding and tornado threats to Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and nearby areas, according to forecasters tracking the inland storm.

At 5 a.m., the National Hurricane Center said Isaias was centered about 25 miles south-southwest of Montgomery, Alabama, and 105 miles south of Birmingham. The system was moving north at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

All tropical storm and storm surge warnings were discontinued, but heavy rain, flooding, tornadoes and dangerous surf remained concerns as the storm moved inland, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm was forecast to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain through the weekend across southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, and southwestern Georgia, according to forecasters. Some areas in northern Florida could receive up to 15 inches.

Much of the rest of the Southeast could receive 2 to 5 inches of rainfall, with isolated totals near 10 inches possible in the southern Appalachians and coastal Carolinas, according to forecasts.

A flood watch remained active through late Saturday night for southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina. The National Weather Service in Charleston forecast widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches, with localized amounts of 3 to 6 inches.

The weather service warned that heavy runoff could flood rivers, creeks, streams and low-lying areas. Flooding was also possible in urban locations and areas with poor drainage.

A tornado risk continued through Saturday afternoon across parts of the eastern Florida Panhandle, Georgia and the Carolinas, according to forecasters.

Coastal flooding was also possible Saturday morning in parts of Georgia and South Carolina. The National Weather Service expected up to a half-foot of saltwater inundation along shorelines and tidal waterways.

High tide at Fort Pulaski was expected around 8:45 a.m., with saltwater flooding possible one to two hours before and after high tide, according to the National Weather Service.

A high risk of rip currents remained in effect through Saturday evening along affected beaches in Georgia and South Carolina. Swells from Isaias were expected to affect Gulf Coast areas of the United States, Mexico and western Cuba through the weekend.

Isaias was expected to move across Alabama and into the Tennessee Valley before turning toward the north-northeast or northeast, according to forecasts. The system was projected to weaken gradually and dissipate Sunday.