HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20151002_HurricaneJoaquin.docxPRESS ANNOUNCEMENT: Contact: Diane Schleicher, City Manager
For immediate release (912) 786-4573
Heavy Rain, Potential Flooding and Rip Currents for Tybee Island
TYBEE ISLAND, GA. (October 2, 2015) —Although the National Hurricane Center is predicting a path for Hurricane Joaquin that travels well to the east of Tybee Island, the associated weather
pattern may bring heavy rain and wind to the Tybee Island area through the coming weekend.
Winds from the storm will result in high risk of rip currents developing on Tybee Island beaches. Given the expected heavy surf and strong rip currents, we are advising that people stay
out of the water this weekend especially in the hours before and after high tide. Young children and people with limited swimming skills would be at serious risk should they be allowed
or choose to enter the water with such a large, powerful hurricane off shore. Tybee Island’s Ocean Rescue team became inactive for the season as of October 1st, so lifeguard protection
will be unavailable. Therefore, only swimmers with tethered flotation devices will be allowed in the water while the rip current warning remains in effect.
This year’s extra rainfall has saturated the ground, so the added rain and heavy surf may lead to a high flooding potential throughout the area. Drivers who are confronted with water
covering the road should turn around. Twelve inches of moving water is enough to carry a car away. A vehicle stalled in water may become irreparably damaged if the driver attempts a
restart. Follow the safety guideline, “Turn around! Don’t drown!”
The added risk of flooding near spring or neap tides will also increase the chances that US Highway 80, Tybee Road, may be covered near the hours of high tide. Highest high tide at Ft.
Pulaski Station will be today, Friday, at about noon, then somewhat lower on Saturday at 1PM, and lowest on Sunday, at about 2PM. The evening high tides are much lower than the afternoons’
and have a lower risk of flooding the road, although they could contribute to run-off problems during rain. These times will be Saturday at 12:36AM, Sunday at 1:35AM, and Monday at
2:32AM.
About Tybee Island, GA.: The City of Tybee Island, Georgia is on the outermost barrier island off the Savannah area coast. With a wild bird sanctuary, over three miles of ocean beaches,
and salt marshes on the back river, outdoor recreation activities abound for visitors to the island. As a key defense point to the important Savannah port, Tybee’s Fort Screven, Tybee
Post Theater, Fort Pulaski, and the Tybee Island and Cockspur Lighthouses combine with the unique architectures of the island’s raised cottages to form a rich backdrop for history buffs.
Attracting a strong artistic community, there are several local supporting art galleries. Keeping the island interesting year round are several arts festivals, the Annual Pirate Fest,
the Beach Bum Parade, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Hot Rod Run, the Beach Bash, and the Christmas Parade, as well as fireworks displays on Independence and New Year’s Days off
the Walter W. Parker Pier and Pavilion. The Marine Science Center cooperates with Georgia’s DNR to protect threatened sea turtle species by searching for nests, protecting their eggs,
and making sure hatchlings make it to sea. For visitor information, stop by http://www.tybeevisit.com/, and to find more about the City of Tybee Island, visit our web site at http://www.cityoftybee.
org/.
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