Hurricane Isaias threatens to swamp Georgia-Alabama and other college football games
Hurricane Isaias is forecast to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday as a dangerous hurricane and bring heavy rain to the Southeast during four college football games — including one of the season’s biggest matchups, Georgia at Alabama.
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Hurricane Isaias is forecast to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday as a dangerous hurricane and bring heavy rain to the Southeast during several college football games — including one of the season’s biggest matchups, Georgia at Alabama.
Here is the latest forecast for the games most likely to see impacts from Hurricane Isaias, as well as the FOX Weather's exclusive Risk of Weather Impact (ROWI), which measures how weather will impact the game.
Isaias is forecast to bring heavy rain across Alabama through the day and evening on Saturday.
The top-10 SEC matchup between undefeated Georgia and Alabama could be one of the most consequential games of the season in terms of the College Football Playoff implications.
The University of Alabama issued a statement saying they are monitoring the forecast, but currently kickoff remains at 6:30 p.m. local time.
President Trump was supposed to travel to Alabama for the game but told reporters Wednesday that the hurricane could impact his decision to attend.
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross urged fans to stay weather aware.
"Consider carefully if it is safe to drive to the stadium if you are planning to attend. The storm's top winds will decrease as it moves inland, but the gustiness will increase, Norcross said.
There will be the threat of tornadoes north and east of the track of the center, said Norcross, referring to the center of Isaias after it comes ashore. "And flooded roads could be a problem Saturday, especially in eastern Mississippi, the southern half of Alabama, the southern half of Georgia, and in the coastal Carolinas."
A Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk covers much of North Florida, including Gainesville on Saturday.
Florida said it has sold out tickets for the 22nd consecutive home game, with kickoff still scheduled for 12:45 p.m.
Georgia Tech hosts undefeated Duke in an ACC matchup in Atlanta at 2:30 p.m.
Georgia Tech said it's monitoring the forecast but expects to play the game as scheduled.
Steady rain is forecast throughout the game, including the chance of thunderstorms later in the evening.
Much of Georgia is also under a Level 2 flash flood risk.
Louisiana Tech is hosting Louisiana in its first game as a member of the Sun Belt Conference at Joe Aillet Stadium at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Steady showers are also forecast throughout the game.
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