Hurricane and Tropical Storm in Georgia, October 7 to 8, 2016

A Hurricane Matthew NWS survey on Tybee Island revealed a dune line escarpment of 7 to 10 feet high near 19th Street near the southern end of Tybee Beach. The dune line held the storm surge oceanside from Lovell Avenue and points south. Moderate erosion was noted near the Tybee Island Pier and oceanside of Center Street. An escarpment 1-2 feet high was noted in dunes in this area. Based on visual confirmation and interviews with business owners no water entered homes or businesses in this area. Sand was noted approaching and touching a few side streets including Center Street.

A National Hurricane Center survey team found a high water mark of 3 feet in a home several blocks from the shoreline on the northern end of Tybee Island. The observed debris field and high water marks indicate preliminary inundation values of 5 to 6 feet MHHW close to the northern Tybee Island shoreline. In downtown Savannah, water flooded a parking lot and entered the Hyatt Ballroom building 10-18 inches deep. Water reached the doorways of many businesses on River Street but no significant salt water intrusion or damage was reported. A restaurant on the east end of River street was flooded with 3 to 6 inches of water from the Savannah River. An eyewitness reported that the hulls of boats tied up at River Street rose to the level of the railing along the Savannah River.

Farther east, along U.S. Route 80, about 1 foot of water entered a restaurant on the Isle of Armstrong. On Whitemarsh Island, debris on U.S. Route 80 indicated that the road was inundated. At Fort Pulaski, a NWS/NHC survey team measured 5 feet of inundation near the Coast Guard station and around the fort on the northern end of the island. The National Ocean Service tide gauge at Fort Pulaski peaked at 12.56 ft above Mean Lower Low Water at 248 AM on October 8th, which is the highest high tide on record. A peak surge of 7.69 ft was also recorded at the Fort Pulaski tide gauge at 242 AM on October 8th.

An eye witness report from the DNR Sapelo Island manager indicated that there were thousands of trees that fell during Hurricane Matthew. No trees landed on homes. There was only limited structural damage with just one residence requiring significant repair. An estimated 60 and 80 percent of the island's power lines came down.

A spotter reported damage caused by surge associated with Hurricane Matthew on St. Catherines Island. Surge produced significant beach erosion as described by evidence of sand transported by wash over and through fans in numerous locations. Dunes were breached in multiple locations and were washed out or destroyed in some areas. Evidence of salt water inundation was noted along the St. Catherines Sound Margin. Some creeks were at least partially flooded by transported sand. In some areas erosion was exacerbated by return flow from flooded areas behind the dune line. Sea turtle nesting habitat was reduced by an estimated 11 percent. St. Catherines Island lost at least 3 docks, but there was only minor damage to homes on the mainland property.

A Hurricane Matthew NWS survey of Tybee Island revealed damage to a roof of a home on 19th street near the southern end of the beach that was consistent with 96 mph wind gusts measured at a nearby sensor the morning of October 8th. Wind damaged siding and the roof of a building closest to the ocean on Center Street. Numerous trees were blown down across interior sections of Tybee Island, including several large trees on homes along U.S. Highway 80. On the southern tip of Wilmington Island, hundreds of large oaks and pines were broken and uprooted. Several trees damaged homes. Local officials indicated that the highest winds appeared to occur on the back side of Hurricane Matthew as it shifted north.

An emergency manager relayed a report that the top of some trees were taken down and debris were in the roadway on Quacco Road during Hurricane Matthew.

A trained spotter reported a large tree down near the intersection of Coffee Bluff and White Bluff Roads. Large branches were reported down on Longberry Lane.

The media relayed web reports that showed heavy rain associated with Hurricane Matthew entering multiple homes on Tappan Zee Drive in Pooler, Georgia.

The media reported downed trees along Cromwell Road.

A gas station canopy was damaged near the intersection of Elma G Miles Parkway and Palm Drive during Hurricane Matthew.

Trees and debris were reported on Interstate 95 at mile marker 60 during Hurricane Matthew.

Several trees were reported down across the Ellabell area during Hurricane Matthew.

The media relayed an image on social media that showed a mobile home and surrounding buildings inundated with water from heavy rains associated with Hurricane Matthew in the 8300 block of Sinkhole Road.

A large tree fell on a house off of Gentiley Street during Hurricane Matthew. The home owner indicated that the home was severely damaged.

The media reported that the Savannah-Chatham Metro Police rescued a man after a tree fell on him at the 1400 block of Ash Street. The man was transported to a hospital where he was treated and released.

An emergency manager reported a tree fell on a vehicle on Burkhalter Road during Hurricane Matthew, resulting in 1 fatality.

The public reported a large pine tree and power lines down during Hurricane Matthew. Large limbs were also reported down on some homes.

The media reported a large tree on a home near the intersection of Drayton Street and 35th Lane during Hurricane Matthew. Additionally, a lot of tree debris and large limbs were reported down across the area.

A local newspaper reported one adult male fatality due to a tree falling on his home along Wylly Avenue.

The media reported a large tree on a home near the intersection of Drayton Street and 35th Lane. Additionally, a lot of tree debris and large limbs were reported down across the area.

An emergency manager reported 1 fatality during Hurricane Matthew due to a tree falling on a home near the intersection of Clay Road and Macedonia Road.

A report via Twitter indicated numerous trees down the Oakhurst Subdivision.

A report via social media indicated the area around Interstate 16 and Nevils Grove Land Road had 16 large trees down during Hurricane Matthew. Power outages were also reported around the area.

A trained spotter reported a tree down on a house during Hurricane Matthew.

A trained spotter reported a large tree was uprooted and fell on a house in the Windsor Forest neighborhood during Hurricane Matthew.

A trained spotter reported a large tree was uprooted and fell on a house in the Windsor Forest neighborhood.

A trained spotter reported around 30 trees down during Hurricane Matthew with many roads blocked or partially blocked near Pooler, Georgia. In addition, 5 traffic signals were either loose or fell to the ground. Railroad crossing gates were also damaged.