Updated 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10
Bradley Blvd, other road closings
From City of Savannah: As of 3 p.m., the City of Savannah’s stormwater modeling indicates that street flooding in the Bradley Point and Villages of Vallambrosia area is likely to increase by up to another 12 inches before water levels begin to recede. Residents in Fords Pointe, Teal Lake, Bush Road and Rice Mill should also monitor conditions closely. Peak water levels are not anticipated to be reached until sometime on Monday or Tuesday.
It is extremely important that residents do not attempt to drive down closed roadways, as roadway conditions may be impacted by the presence of water and vehicles are also likely to become stranded in the water.
Emergency resources are positioned nearby at Fire Station 12 to assist residents as needed, anyone impacted by flooding and needing assistance can call 912-925-4866. The Savannah Police and Fire Departments will be setting up an emergency outpost within Bradley Point and the American Red Cross is sending resources to the community.
Chatham County has announced the availability of a shelter for anyone impacted by the flooding, the shelter is located at Coastal Georgia Comprehensive Academy, 2001 CynthiaStreet. It is still expected that Bradley Boulevard will potentially take several days for water levels to recede once the peak level is reached and will remain closed until water levels are reduced below 12 inches. City of Savannah damage assessment teams are on standby to activate to assess any damage that may be caused by this flooding event.
For more information on current road closures, visit//savannahga.gov/floodalert.
Currently closed roadways
- Dunnoman Drive at Grayson Avenue
- Bush Road at Highway 204/Fort Argyle Road
Anticipated roadway closures
- Chief of Love Road at Litchfield Road
- Bradley Boulevard at Grayson Avenue
Sandbags available for river flooding
Chatham County will be providing sand and limited quantities of filled sandbags today and tomorrow at Border Equipment of Savannah, 5905 Ogeechee Road, for residents impacted by the Ogeechee River flooding. Availability will be Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, from 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Limited quantities of filled sandbags will be available and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Sand and bags will also be available. Residents will need to bring their own shovel.
Safe parking for flood-zone residents
Chatham County and Walmart, 6000 Ogeechee Road, have partnered to provide a place for those affected by flood waters to safely park vehicles. Vehicles should only be parked in the spaces indicated in the picture below.
Walmart is not responsible for lost or stolen property/items left in vehicles. Please secure all parked vehicles. No camping or sleeping in vehicles will be allowed.
Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools closed Thursday, Aug. 8.
August 7, 4:28 p.m.: Due to road closure concerns, Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools will be closed Thursday, Aug. 8.
Georgia Southern to resume normal activity Aug. 8.
August 7, 3:54 p.m.: Georgia Southern University police have assessed the campus and provided an “all clear” following Tropical Storm Debby. Normal activites and in-person events will resume on Aug. 8.
Flood warning
August 7, 9:45 a.m.: Flood Warning issued by NWS Charleston for Chatham County until Aug. 7 at 6:45 p.m..
Closures continue
August 7, 9:29 a.m.: Services across Chatham County remain closed through Wednesday as slow-moving Tropical Storm Debby continues to dump rain on the region.
A flood watch is in effect through Friday, and officials expect another two to three inches of rain. City and county offices, as well as the courthouse, schools and libraries remain shut down on Wednesday, according to a Chatham County bulletin.
Chatham Area Transit operations are also closed on Wednesday. Leaders will re-evaluate bus service on Thursday morning, the county said.
The county offered no statistics on water rescues but stated they were working with local public safety authorities to do so. A report from television station WTOC reported rescues in the Tremont Park neighborhood in Savannah.
Flood warning
August 6, 10:11 p.m.: Flood Warning issued by NWS for Chatham County until 10:15 a.m. Aug. 7.
Savannah non-essential services remain closed
Updated 7:21 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6: Most City of Savannah non-essential offices will remain closed, however some additional resident-facing services will resume on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Essential and emergency services will continue to operate and respond as needed.
Savannah garbage pickup resumes — a day behind
Updated 7:21 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6: The City’s Sanitation Department will resume collection routes on Wednesday on a one-day delayed schedule — Tuesday’s routes will be run on Wednesday, Wednesday’s routes on Thursday, Thursday’s routes on Friday. Missed routes will be serviced as quickly as possible. The Dean Forest Road Landfill and Bacon Park Convenience Center will operate on a normal schedule. Street cleaning will resume on its regular schedule and parking will be enforced accordingly.
City roadways, flooding update
Updated 7:21 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6: City crews are currently addressing significant flooding in the Tremont Park neighborhood, extreme caution should be used in this area and drivers are advised to avoid the area entirely at this time.
All pump stations are operating satisfactory and continuing to move water out of streets. High water remains in several areas due to the volume of rainfall received over the last 36 hours. Depending on rainfall Tuesday evening, City staff except additional time and multiple tide cycles to fully evacuate the stormwater system.
Stormwater Management crews are addressing elevated water levels in the following locations:
- White Bluff Rd. near Savannah Tech
- Tremont Park Neighborhood
- Ogeechee Road (Hwy. 80) just east of I-516
- Magazine Ave. north of Gwinnett St.
- Liberty Heights Drive
- Staley Ave between 48thand 51stSt
- 42ndand Ogeechee Rd.
- 51stSt. at Hopkins
- Water is high and adjacent to the roadway at Eisenhower between Sallie Mood and Truman Parkway, Staley Ave. north of Ogeechee Rd., and near the intersection of Ogeechee Rd (Hwy. 80) and Victory Dr.
For the latest map of flood prone areas and current road closures in the City visit//savannahga.gov/floodalerts.
As of 6:30 p.m., the City’s Transportation Department is handling over 40 roadway issues. Residents are reminded that when a traffic signal is out, the intersection should be treated as an all-way stop.
City crews are responding to the following locations:
- Price at 42nd, manhole displaced
- Chatham Parkway at Telfair Place, flooded
- 63rd and Reynolds, Signal restored
- Skidaway and Victory, Signal restored
- 37th and Jefferson, remains flooded
- Ogeechee Road and 1200 W 42nd, flooded
- Victory from Hopkins, all clear
- Hopkins to Ogeechee, all clear
- Ogeechee at Mills B Lane, remains flooded
- Paulsen, 61st & 63rd, all clear
- Woodland between Derenne & Forsyth, closed
- Eisenhower, open
- Truman Parkway Southbound at Eisenhower, SB off-ramp clear; SB on-ramp remains flooded
- White Bluff and Johnston, SB remains flooded
- Skidaway between stadium & Montgomery Crossroads, tree removed
- Waters and Mall Blvd. Northbound right lane, tree removed
- Drayton and 41st, all clear
- Eisenhower between Skidaway and Truman, low hanging cable. AT&T contacted.
- Truman overpass erosion and Derenne, all clear
- Drayton and 41st, Right-lane flooded but passable
- 530 Magazine, flooded; disabled vehicles present
- 48th and Stanley, flooded & closed
- Waters and 38th, street light pole on the ground. Made safe. Ga. Power notified.
- Eisenhower Westbound at Traman SB off-ramp, 1 lane closed
- Anderson at Bee, signal out; stops signs in place
- Ogeechee at Mills B Lane, closed due to flooding
- Ogeechee at 42nd, not passable
- Victory from Hopkins, flooded but passable
- 37th at Jefferson, flooded
- Truman overpass erosion, Derenne
- Northbound Truman and Whitefield, power out need stop signs
- Gwinnett closed between Adams complex Gwinnett driveway and railroad due to hydraulic spill.
- Waters at Mall Blvd Northbound, right lane-tree down
- White Bluff at Food Lion, signal out
- White Bluff at TV Circle, signal out
- White Bluff at Johnston, flooded & closed
- Mills B Lane at Ogeechee, flooded
- Westbound President, reduced to 1 lane
- Skidaway between Montgomery Crossroads and Stadium, tree down
- Paulsen between Park & Gwinnett. Water cleared, stalled car
- Louisville and Blunt, tree down in westbound travel lane blocked
The City urges residents to remain vigilant and be aware of potential impacts this evening including downed trees, flooded roadways and downed power lines. If a flooded roadway is encountered, the best option is to turn around and find an alternative route.
Residents can call 311 to report downed trees and flooded roadways, ask a question about City services, or submit a service request. Service requests can also be submitted online atSavannahga.gov/311request. Residents are urged to download the SAV311 app for quick service request submission.
Curfew lifted
August 6, 5:19 p.m.: According to the Chatham Emergency Management Agency there is no curfew in place for Chatham County on Aug. 6.
Traffic updates
August 6, 4:03 p.m.: Two accidents have occurred on I-95 North — one at I-16 and one at Quacco Road. Pooler Police are on the seen. There will be no entry to I-95 from exit 204 until the accidents are clear. Seek alternate routes if necessary.
City of Savannah news release recaps Aug. 5 damage
August 6, 12:21 p.m.: The City of Savannah confirmed continued efforts to respond to impacts from Tropical Storm Debby and mitigate the effects of the storm. The city reported 8.0 inches of rain Downtown, 8.5 inches of rain at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, and 8.2 inches of rain on the Southside of the city from Aug. 5.
On Aug. 5 three city wells lost power, relying on generators to stay running. Full power was restored Aug. 6 at 7 a.m.. On Aug. 5 the Savannah Fire Department conducted 18 water rescues, responding to 106 calls from 911 in total. The Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless relocated 116 people to shelter partners. For more information on the city’s emergency efforts visit https://savannahga.gov/1935/Hurricane-Information.
Savannah opens shelters
Monday, 9:57 p.m.: The City of Savannah has designated the Enmarket Arena as an emergency shelter available for residents with no available shelter. City staff is coordinating with the American Red Cross to open the shelter at 8 p.m. Residents are encouraged to only use the shelter if absolutely necessary as capacity is limited.
The Tompkins Regional Center was opened as an emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness and reached capacity around 7 p.m. The City of Savannah’s partners at Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH) coordinated shelters for the homeless population on Monday. As of 4:30 p.m., all traditional shelters and Come as You Are Ministries had reached capacity.
10 p.m. Monday Savannah street closures
Street flooding is currently widespread throughout Savannah, and while multiple street closures are occurring, extreme caution should be used if driving through the city. For the latest map of flood prone areas and current road closures in the city visit//savannahga.gov/debby.
As of 8 p.m., the city has closed the following streets to traffic:
- Tremont Road from Ogeechee to Dodge
- Anderson St. from Atlantic Ave. to Ott St.
- Henry St. from Atlantic Ave. to East Broad
- Paulsen St. at Park Ave.
- Victory at Cedar Ave.
- Victory at MLK
- Brightwood at Margatha
- W. 48 St. from Stanley to Hopkins
The city anticipates additional closures of the following streets:
- 52ndfrom Montgomery to Exchange
- 51stfrom Hopkins to Stevens
- Anderson at Paulsen
- Paulsen from 63rdto 60th
- Victory at MLK
- E. Lathrop at Louisville
- Jefferson from 38thto 39th
- Abercorn from 63rdto 66th
- Grove from Anderson to 31st
- Newell from Lathrop to Glass
- Magazine from Feeley to Cornwall
- Ferrill from Exley to Bay
- Habersham from Columbus Lane to 63rd
- Jefferson at 34th
- 60thfrom Reynolds to Battey
- 37that MLK
- Thackery from Sylvan to Oakview
City staff is tracking all flooding and rainfall and anticipates more road closures will be possible. Updates will be made at//savannahga.gov/floodalert.
Worried about your car in flood? Parking garages free.
Parking Services will open all City garages to the public at 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5. Residents who live in flood prone areas may park their vehicles in the garages free of charge. Boats, trailers and other vehicle attachments are not allowed. Each garage has the potential for flooding and certain areas will be blocked off. Park at your own risk.
All parking spaces on River Street are closed. There will be no enforcement of parking meters on City streets beginning Monday, Aug. 5. Notice will be given to everyone before enforcement resumes post-storm.
Tornado Warning
August 5, 6:02 p.m.: Tornado warning issued by NWS Charleston SC Aug. 5 at 4:11 p.m. until Aug. 5 4:45p.m. Locations impacted include Pooler, Wilmington Island, Bellinger Hill Area, Midtown Savannah, Downtown Savannah, Coffee Bluff, Savannah International Airport, I-16/I-95 Interchange, Hunter Army Airfield, Godley Station, Montgomery, Garden City, Port Wentworth, Hardeeville, and Bloomingdale.
Flash Flood Warning
August 5, 5:50 p.m.: Flash Flood Warning issued by NWS for Chatham county until 11:30 p.m..
Power outages
Here are updated numbers onpower outages across Camden County, including Savannah, Tybee Island and Pooler. It is unclear if the outages reported are storm or weather related.
Tornado Watch
August 5, 3:40 p.m.: Tornado watch issued by NWS Charleston SC from Aug. 5 at 3:40 p.m. until Aug. 6 at 1:00 p.m.. The coverage area includes Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, Liberty and McIntosh counties.
Areas to avoid for street flooding
From the City of Savannah, Monday, Aug. 5, 1:44 p.m.: The City anticipates closure of the following streets the evening of Monday, Aug. 5:
- 52ndfrom Montgomery to Exchange
- 51stfrom Hopkins to Stevens
- Anderson at Paulsen
- Henry from Atlantic to E. Broad
- Paulsen from 63rdto 60th
- Victory from Waters to Cedar
- Victory at MLK
- E. Lathrop at Louisville
- Jefferson from 38thto 39th
- Abercorn from 63rdto 66th
- Grove from Anderson to 31st
- Newell from Lathrop to Glass
- Magazine from Feeley to Cornwall
- Ferrill from Exley to Bay
- Habersham from Columbus Lane to 63rd
- Jefferson at 34th
- 60thfrom Reynolds to Battey
- 37that MLK
- Thackery from Sylvan to Oakview
City staff is tracking all flooding and rainfall and anticipates more road closures will be possible. Updates will be made at//savannahga.gov/debby.
Live Oak Public Libraries close until Thursday
August 5, 1:10 p.m.: The Live Oak Public Libraries will be closed Tuesday, Aug. 6 and Wednesday, Aug. 7. All 16 branches are expected to reopen at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8 with normal resumption of services and programs.
Leaders expect historic rains
August 5, 12:57 p.m.: Chatham County emergency officials and city leaders held a press conference late Monday morning as Tropical Storm Debby moves through Florida towards Georgia.
“This is a once-in-a-thousand year, potential rainfall event,” Savannah City Manager Jay Melder said at the press conference. After Debby hit Florida as a hurricane Monday, it was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm. Local officials still warned of historic rain and flooding expected to hit Coastal Georgia on Monday night.
County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis announced that county and municipality leaders signed on to a resolution instituting a countywide curfew. It begins at 10 p.m. on Monday and continues through 6 a.m. Tuesday.
“This is not a martial law type thing,” Ellis said. “The purpose for the curfew is to get folks out of the way of what you’ve never seen before.”
Chatham Area Transit buses will be taken off the streets by 6 p.m., according to the interim director of CAT, Stephanie Cutter.
Tropical Storm Warning
August 5, 12:14 p.m.: Chatham County is under a Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Warning and Flood watch. Heavy rainfall expected in the county with a potential for 10-20 inches of rain and severe flash flooding. Tornado watch effective in Chatham County until 4 p.m. Aug. 5.
Flood warning
August 5, 11:01 a.m.: Flood warning issued by NWS Charleston SC. The coverage area includes Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, Liberty and McIntosh counties.
Tybee Island mayor implements local State of Emergency
August 5, 11:47 a.m.: City of Tybee Island Mayor, Brian West, has issued a local State of Emergency in effect until 11:59 p.m. on August, 8.
Savannah road updates
Updates on road closures due to flooding will be posted atsavannahga.gov/floodalert. For updates specific to the City of Savannah, residents are encouraged to follow @cityofsavannah on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter, or visit//savannahga.gov/debby
Savannah city services closed Tuesday
From the City of Savannah: The City of Savannah will close all government offices Tuesday, Aug. 6. Essential emergency functions will be open.
Government operations and offices will remain open on Monday, Aug. 5. A decision regarding Wednesday’s operations will be made based on storm impacts. All emergency essential services including public safety, water and sewer, stormwater, park and tree, and traffic engineering will respond at full capacity as weather permits.
The following impacts to City services will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 6:
- All non-emergency essential City government offices will be closed.
- In-person payments at the Coastal Georgia Center for utility, tax, license, and other fees will be closed.
- Street cleaning night services will be suspended.
- The Dean Forest Landfill and Bacon Park Convenience Center will be closed.
- Sanitation routes will shift to a modified schedule on Wednesday.
- Recorder’s Court will be closed.
- In-person services with the Office of Special Events, Film, and Tourism will be suspended.
- Building closures, including all services within, will include City Hall, Civic Center, Community Centers, Cultural Arts Center, Floyd Adams City Services Complex, Savannah Municipal Services Annex and the Savannah Entrepreneurial Center.
Non-emergency public safety offices will be closed, to include police records.
Curfew order
August 5, 9:45 a.m.: Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said he will issue a curfew on Monday night through the following morning, when rainfall and winds are forecasted to be at their worst.
“If you don’t have to be in these Savannah streets tonight – don’t – for your safety and for the safety of our emergency responders,” Johnson wrote on Facebook.
The curfew will last from 10 p.m. on Monday to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, he wrote.
Tornado watch
The National Weather Service in Charleston, SC has issued a tornado watch until 4 p.m. EDT Monday, August 6 for Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Tattnall, Ware, and Wayne Counties. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornados to develop.
A flood watch remains in effect until Friday morning for Bulloch, Candler, Coastal Bryan, Coastal Chatham, Coastal Liberty, Coastal McIntosh, Effingham, Evans, Inland Bryan, Inland Chatham, Inland Liberty, Inland McIntosh, Jenkins, Long, Screven and Tattnall and southeast South Carolina, including Allendale, Beaufort, Charleston, Coastal Colleton, Coastal Jasper, Dorchester, Hampton, Inland Berkeley, Inland Colleton, Inland Jasper and Tidal Berkeley.
County offers sand, bags
From Chatham Emergency Management, Sunday, 5:38 p.m. via X: Sand and bags available at Lake Mayer on Sallie Mood Drive. Residents must provide their own shovel. Open to all Chatham County residents during daylight hours.
Other municipalities are providing sandbags, please check with your municipality to see if sandbags are available.
City of Savannah offers sand, sandbags
The City will provide residents and businesses with sand and sandbags ahead of the forecasted rainfall. Sandbags will be limited to five per household and residents are asked to bring their own shovel to fill the bags.
Sandbags will be available Sunday, Aug. 4 from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. while supplies last at the following locations:
- Parking lot, EnMarket Arena, 620 Stiles Ave.
- Savannah Fire Station #8, 2824 Bee Road
- Savannah Fire Station #7, 6902 Sallie Mood Dr.
- Savannah Fire Station #15, 1751 Grove Point Rd.
Savannah residents and businesses are urged to review emergency plans and kits ahead of the arrival of inclement weather. Information on preparedness can be found at//savannahga.gov/debby.
Savannah Tech to close Tuesday, Wednesday
From Savannah Technical College, Sunday, 4:03 p.m.: Due to the expected impacts of Tropical Storm Debby, STC classes will be canceled, and campuses will close at 3pm on Monday, Aug. 5 and will remain canceled/closed on Tuesday, Aug. 6 and Wednesday, Aug. 7.The College will maintain regular contact with CEMA to monitor storm impacts and will reassess impacts on Wednesday.
While the College will be closed for in-person activities, certain staff, who are designated by their immediate supervisor, may be required to report to work during this closure.
Students, faculty, and staff are reminded to monitor email and phone messages from the College and to stay in touch with us by visitingwww.savannahtech.edu/emergencyfollowing our social media channels.
Non-emergency services
For questions about City services or to submit a service request, residents can call 311. Service requests can also be submitted online atSavannahga.gov/311request.
Updates on road closures due to flooding will be posted atsavannahga.gov/floodalert. For updates specific to the City of Savannah, residents are encouraged to follow @cityofsavannah on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter, or visit//savannahga.gov/debby
City employees are encouraged to call into the City’s emergency information hotline for updates at 833-251-6020.
Chatham County schools
Sunday, 3 p.m. Schools will operate on a half day schedule Monday, August 5thand students will not report to school on Tuesday, August 6th or Wednesday, August 7thdue to the anticipated impacts associated with Storm Debby. There will be no required remote learning during this time. All buildings and District facilities will be closed for in-person activities.Please monitor SCCPSS.com, our social media channels, and all district calls and emails for more information on operational changes as the storm moves through our area.
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Type of Story: News
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
