Tropical Storm Irma Leaves 1 Person Dead in Georgia

(ATLANTA) — Irma killed one person in Georgia as storm surge and rain flooded coastal communities Monday, winds sent trees crashing onto homes and the world’s busiest airport in Atlanta canceled hundreds of flights as the storm’s punch was felt statewide despite its weakened status as a tropical storm. The city of Savannah, on Georgia’s coast, was evacuated for the second time in less than a year because of the storm, and the National Weather Service in Peachtree City confirmed that Atlanta — more than 250 miles (400 kilometers) inland from either the Atlantic or Gulf coasts — was under a tropical storm warning for the first time. One storm-related death had been confirmed in rural Worth County, Georgia Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Catherine Howden said Monday afternoon. She had no further details. The storm fatality occurred in southwest Georgia, where Irma’s center crossed over from Florida on Monday afternoon. Tropical storm winds reached more than 400 miles (644 kilometers) from its center, giving its powerful gusts and drenching rains a far reach. Storm surge and rainfall arriving at high tide Monday afternoon swamped communities along Georgia’s 100-mile (160-kilometer) coast. On Tybee Island east of Savannah, Holland Zellers was heading home to grab a kayak so he could reach a home where his mother had taken shelter near the beach. Shawn Gillen, Tybee Island’s city manager, said waters appeared to be rece...
Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized georgia onetime Source Type: news