ATLANTA — Georgia emergency officials are ramping up preparations for Hurricane Isaias as the storm approaches the Gulf Coast, bringing the potential for damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, tornadoes and power outages across the state.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA) is moving its State Operations Center to Level One full activation at 1 p.m. Friday, with emergency resources already positioned throughout Georgia.

The hurricane is expected to make landfall Friday night as a strong Category 3 storm. Although its projected path would keep it west of metro Atlanta, officials warn that the area could still experience significant impacts.

GEMA Director Josh Lamb says the agency is working with federal, state and local partners to prepare for the storm.

“These resources are on standby and ready for deployment should additional support be needed,” Lamb said.

The agency is coordinating with the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources and Georgia Forestry to ensure personnel and equipment are ready to respond.

“GEMA and Homeland and Security remains in constant contact and communication with our state partners such as the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Transportation, DNR, and Georgia Forestry, to coordinate preparedness efforts and to ensure resources and personnel are ready to respond should the need arise,” Lamb said.

Georgia officials warn of flooding, tornadoes and strong winds

Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for all 159 Georgia counties ahead of the hurricane, allowing the state to make resources available for storm preparations and potential recovery efforts.

Kemp says Georgia could experience wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph because of its position east of the storm’s projected path.

“It looks like we’re going to be on the dirty side or the east side of this storm, so there’s a strong wind threat for our state, with possible wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph,” Kemp said.

The governor is urging residents to closely monitor the storm’s movement, noting that even small changes in its path could have significant consequences.

“We have a fairly good idea of where it’s going, but it can shift and turn and it doesn’t take but a little bit, and if you’re not ready it can be really devastating,” Kemp said.

Kemp also pointed to Hurricane Helene as an example of how quickly a storm can change direction.

“It turned east and hit Augusta and a lot of people in Augusta were not ready for that,” Kemp said.

The governor says the state has gained valuable experience responding to previous hurricanes, including Michael and Helene.

“We have a very experienced team. I’m very comfortable with the way everybody is handling things, we’ve learned a lot over the years,” Kemp said.

GEMA officials say heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding and river flooding, while gusty winds and isolated tornadoes are also possible.

“With heavy rainfall potentially leading to flash flooding and river flooding, along with gusty winds and isolated tornadoes, we strongly encourage Georgians to never drive around barricades, or through standing water, but to move to higher grounds if necessary,” Lamb said.

Emergency officials are encouraging residents to prepare flashlights, radios and extra batteries in case electricity is lost.

They are also urging Georgians to keep weather alerts activated throughout the weekend, particularly because storm impacts are expected overnight.

“We encourage residents to turn on their weather alerts especially since impacts will occur overnight, every family should have multiple methods to receiving severe weather alerts, including at least one with an audible alert,” Lamb said.

Georgia Power prepares for possible outages

Georgia Power is positioning crews and equipment ahead of Hurricane Isaias as the utility prepares for potential power outages and downed electrical lines.

Georgia Power spokesman Matthew Kent says the company has been taking additional steps to ensure crews can respond quickly and safely if the storm causes damage.

“We do take a few extra steps to make sure that we are appropriately positioned with crews to make sure that we can respond as quickly as possible and to do that safely,” Kent said.

The utility’s storm center is monitoring resources, including personnel, utility poles and other equipment.

Kent says Georgia Power also works throughout the year to trim trees and vegetation that could threaten electrical lines during severe weather.

“Dead trees, limbs that are a major threat to lines, they will cut those back,” Kent said.

If the storm causes outages, Georgia Power will wait until winds fall below 35 mph before sending crews to begin restoration work.

Kent says crews will first assess the damage and prioritize repairs to critical facilities.

“We’ll do an assessment first to see what areas need to be fixed first; usually that is hospitals, schools, any of those major infrastructure items,” Kent said.

The utility also has employees responsible for keeping power generation running while other crews respond to storm damage.

“Making sure that they have the appropriate equipment that they need, hunkering down a little bit because generation does not stop,” Kent said.

Georgia Power customers can use the company’s outage map to check reported outages and estimated restoration times.

“You can also get an estimated restoration time of when your power is expected to come back on and we always try to beat that time,” Kent said.

Emergency officials are reminding residents to treat all downed power lines as live and stay away from them because of the risk of shock or electrocution.

Hurricane preparations affect Georgia road work

The approaching storm is also affecting scheduled transportation projects across Georgia.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is postponing a planned full closure of Interstate 285, along with other scheduled road work, because of Hurricane Isaias.

State officials continue to urge residents to monitor weather conditions, prepare emergency supplies and have a plan in place in case of flooding, tornadoes or widespread power outages.