For the first time, a tropical storm warning has been issued for the city of Atlanta.
The National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia, said Sunday it was the first time such a warning had been issued for the metro Atlanta area. High wind warnings have been issued in previous storms.
The warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the next 36 hours. Peak winds were expected to reach 30 to 40 mph with gusts of up to 55 mph.
The weather service says storm threats include damage to porches, carports, sheds and unanchored mobile homes. Roads may become impassable due to debris. Power outages could occur.
In response to the increasing threat posed in more northern parts of the state, Gov. Nathan Deal expanded his emergency declaration. All of Georgia is now included under Georgia’s state of emergency.
State government will also be closed both Monday and Tuesday.
Evacuees In Atlanta
Still, Irma evacuees are filling up Atlanta hotels and shelters, and folks are getting creative to offer them a hand.
About 100 of America’s top chefs who had gathered for their annual summit changed gears. They pivoted their planned Monday agenda on “heritage grains” and “how to cut food waste.” Now, instead, the chefs will prepare a gourmet feast for Irma refugees and serve it at a church.
Hotels were full Sunday morning. At the luxury Georgian Terrace Hotel, staff were flexible with rules to accommodate evacuees. Guests walked pit bulls through the lobby. Large families pulled roller bags and clutched blankets as they squeezed into small rooms without enough beds.
A block away, a church offered free hugs for evacuees.
And a chalkboard sign outside a restaurant offered a discount: “30% OFF Food with FLORIDA ID for Hurricane evacuees.”
Trump’s Response
President Donald Trump says he has spoken with the governors of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee as the hurricane moves north.
The White House says Trump spoke with the officials Sunday from the Camp David presidential retreat, where he was spending the weekend.
WABE digital staff contributed to this report.
