The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association is forecasting the earliest winds from the storm will reach south Georgia Friday morning.

TIFTON — South Georgia is not expected to see much impact from Hurricane Florence, according to Tift County Emergency Management Agency Director Vickie Hickman.

“It looks, as of right now, that south Georgia will be in the clear,” Hickman said in an email on Thursday, Sept. 13.

She did say that impacts to Georgia are possible from late Saturday through Monday and include:

• 2-4 inches of rainfall are possible in portions of eastern and northern Georgia on Saturday through Monday. This could create some flooding issues in low-lying or flood-prone areas.

• Sustained wind speeds of 20-30 miles per hour with higher gusts are possible this weekend in eastern and northern Georgia. Tropical storm force winds are not expected but remain possible. Savannah has a 30 percent chance of receiving tropical storm force winds, while Augusta has a 40 percent chance and Atlanta has a 15 percent chance.

• Life-threatening surf and rip currents are expected to continue along the Georgia coast this week.

• Storm surge inundation along the Georgia coast is not expected. However, some minor coastal flooding issues could develop.

As of 5 p.m. on Thursday, Hurricane Florence was moving northwest at 5 mph, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center.

They are expecting the center of the hurricane to reach the coasts of North and South Carolina Thursday night, with impacts reaching south Georgia Friday morning.

The National Weather Service out of Tallahassee is forecasting a 20 to 30 percent chance of showers in the Tift area Sunday through Wednesday morning.

Hickman urged Georgians and evacuees to be careful regarding scams and fraud.  

Hickman said anyone wishing to help should make sure to donate only to reputable agencies.

“Before donations start pouring in, it is always helpful to wait and see what the need is and where drop off points are before sending anything,” Hickman said in her email. “Remember, roads may be flooded or power lines could be down causing unsafe conditions to get supplies in to them. We have to make sure that it is safe before we send anyone in with donations or supplies. There is a process, that when followed, makes things run much more smoothly.”

State Attorney General Chris Carr warned consumers in a press release Wednesday to also be wary of scammers and others who may try to profit from their distress or good intentions.

“Sadly enough, con artists often exploit disasters by taking advantage of storm victims or preying on the sympathies of those who want to help out,” Carr said in a statement.

During Hurricane Irma a year ago, which was the last major hurricane to hit the state, there were about 230 reported allegations of price gouging.

“We strongly urge scammers and price gougers to think twice before trying to take advantage of consumers who are fleeing the storm’s path or attempting to rebuild their lives in this storm’s aftermath in Georgia,” Carr said in the press release.

Scams and price gouging can be reported to the consumer protection unit at 1-800-869-1123. Reports can be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

Follow Eve Copeland on Twitter @EveCopelandTTG.