Flash flood watch is now in effect

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. — A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for much of north and central Georgia, including Dawson, Lumpkin and White counties, through Wednesday morning as subtropical storm Alberto approached Florida.

In addition to those counties, the Flash Flood Watch includes Baldwin, Bibb, Butts, Crawford, Jasper, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Putnam, Greene, Hancock, Taliaferro, Warren, Wilkes, Barrow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fannin, Fayette, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Morgan, Newton, North Fulton, Pickens, Rockdale, South Fulton, Union, Walton, Banks, Clarke, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Towns, Barwow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chatooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Walker, Coweta, Harris, Heard, Lamar, Macon, Marion, Meriwether, Muscogee, Pike, Schley, Spalding, Steward, Sumter, Talbot, Troup, Upson and Webster.

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph) and was moving north at 8 mph (13 kph). However, once Alberto is inland and deprived of the warm waters that fuel tropical weather systems, the storm was expected to steadily weaken.

Residents of those counties are cautioned to monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.