CAL THOMAS: The Conflict Between Virtue and Utility

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has extended the * Flash Flood Warning for... Southwestern Butts County in central Georgia... Northwestern Crawford County in central Georgia... Western Monroe County in central Georgia... Southwestern Barrow County in north central Georgia... Southeastern Cherokee County in north central Georgia... Clayton County in north central Georgia... Eastern Cobb County in north central Georgia... DeKalb County in north central Georgia... Fayette County in north central Georgia... Southwestern Forsyth County in north central Georgia... Fulton County in north central Georgia... Gwinnett County in north central Georgia... Henry County in north central Georgia... Rockdale County in north central Georgia... Northwestern Walton County in north central Georgia... Lamar County in west central Georgia... Pike County in west central Georgia... Spalding County in west central Georgia... Northeastern Talbot County in west central Georgia... Northern Taylor County in west central Georgia... Upson County in west central Georgia... * Until 515 AM EDT. * At 250 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 0.5 to 1 inch in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rain. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Atlanta, Marietta, Lawrenceville, Griffin, McDonough, Decatur, Fayetteville, Conyers, Thomaston, Barnesville, Cumming, Jonesboro, Zebulon, Roberta, City of South Fulton, Peachtree Corners, Mountain Park, Sandy Springs, Roswell and Johns Creek. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. && FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED; EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...0.5-1 INCH IN 1 HOUR

This product covers North and Central Georgia **HELENE TO BRING UNPRECEDENTED WIND AND FLOODING IMPACTS TO NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA THROUGH FRIDAY** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Chattahoochee, Crawford, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Muscogee, Peach, Pike, Pulaski, Schley, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Telfair, Twiggs, Upson, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, and Wilkinson - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Emanuel, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Glascock, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Hall, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Heard, Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Montgomery, Morgan, Murray, Newton, North Fulton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Putnam, Rockdale, South Fulton, Taliaferro, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Troup, Union, Walker, Walton, Warren, Washington, White, Whitfield, and Wilkes * STORM INFORMATION: - About 270 miles south of Atlanta GA or about 140 miles south of Cordele GA - 29.9N 83.9W - Storm Intensity 140 mph - Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 24 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Helene has made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in the Big Bend region of Florida as of 11 PM EDT. Helene will be an expansive system with impacts occurring well away from the storm center. Due to the intensity and fast forward motion, unprecendented wind and flooding impacts, rivaling or exceeding those of Hurricanes Opal (1995), Irma (2017) and Michael (2018), are expected across the north and central Georgia. Several areas have already received 4 to 8 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Additional rainfall amounts of 2.5 to 5 inches, with localized higher amounts, are expected. The highest total amounts will occur over a wide swath paralleling I-85 into northeast and east central Georgia. Widespread flooding is expected with significant flash flooding and moderate to major river flooding possible. A few flash flood warnings have already gone into effect. Tropical storm and hurricane force wind gusts, potentially exceeding 80 mph, are expected to begin across the southern portion of the forecast area, then quickly spread north overnight into Friday morning. Hurricane Force wind gusts will be possible for some locations including the Atlanta Metro extending eastward to Athens and in the higher terrain of the northeast Georgia mountains. Outside of these locations, Tropical Storm force gusts are expected all the way up to the border with Tennessee and North Carolina. Given the saturated soils, widespread downing of trees and significant power outages are expected. Be ready for an extended period of power loss! A few short-lived tornadoes have already occurred this evening. Short- lived tornadoes remain possible across east-central Georgia overnight through early Friday morning, with the greatest potential over areas north and east of the track of Helene. The time to hunker down and take shelter is now! POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across north and central Georgia. Remain well guarded against life- threatening flood waters having possible devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are expected early Friday morning before sunrise in central Georgia. Remain well sheltered from life- threatening wind having extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks. - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Large areas with power and communications outages. Potential impacts from the main wind event are also expected across north Georgia. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having significant impacts. * TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across portions of east-central Georgia. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery- powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy. During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather. Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins. If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body. Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane as any improvement in weather will only be temporary. Once the eye passes, conditions will become life threatening as winds immediately return to dangerous speeds, so remain safely sheltered from the storm. Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on creating an emergency plan see ready.ga.gov - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City GA around 530 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT... * LOCATIONS AFFECTED - McDonough * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 30-40 mph with gusts to 70 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: until early Friday afternoon - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 74 to 110 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for life-threatening wind of equivalent CAT 1 or 2 hurricane force. - PREPARE: Last minute efforts should solely focus on protecting life. The area remains subject to considerable wind damage. - ACT: Now is the time to shelter from life-threatening wind. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Unfolding - Potential impacts from the main wind event are unfolding. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect - Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for extreme flooding rain - The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for extreme flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely. - PREPARE: Urgently consider protective actions from extreme and widespread rainfall flooding. - ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Devastating to Catastrophic - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few tornadoes - The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should continue to include possible tornadoes. - PREPARE: Stay within your shelter keeping informed of the latest tornado situation. - ACT: Move quickly to the safest place within your shelter if a tornado warning is issued. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - Family emergency plans: Federal Emergency Management Agency - http://ready.gov/hurricanes - Local weather conditions and forecasts: - http://weather.gov/atlanta

Among the questions I am most often asked by people who don’t like the two presidential candidates: “How did we get to this point where I can’t enthusiastically vote for either one?”

What may be a partial answer comes from an essay by Daniel McCarthy, editor of Modern Age: A Conservative Review.

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CAL THOMAS: The Conflict Between Virtue and Utility

Why rising car insurance rates are outpacing inflation