On Sept. 7, 2017 at 11 p.m. the National Weather Service released new predictions that show Hurricane Irma set to travel through the Florida Panhandle Sunday evening and into Southeast Georgia Monday morning.

The new predictions have the center of the storm traveling through Lowndes County near the city of Valdosta as well as through bordering counties such as Echols County, Berrien County and Lanier County. The predicted track of the hurricane has shifted further to the west in relation to earlier predictions. Due to these changes Valdosta State now lies directly in the predicted path of Hurricane Irma.

If you are a student remaining on campus during Hurricane Irma please stay informed on precautions and safety guidance before, during and after the storm. RA’s in each dorm hall will be providing information to keep those staying on campus safe.

For those who are off campus and are in or around the projected path of the hurricane, prepare your supplies before Monday. The hurricane is expected to begin impacting the Lowndes County area Monday evening at 8 p.m.

Hurricanes also typically come with powerful tornadoes. Make sure that your household has a plan for when disaster strikes if you are not planning to evacuate ahead of time.

The National Weather Service advises you stay in a room that is centralized in your home and that has no windows, on the lowest level of the house, if possible. This is the safest location to be in during times of severe winds. Fill bottles with water in the event that water treatment facilities become inoperable and keep shelf-stable foods near in the event that power is shut off and you are not able to cook or use your fridge. If power does shut off, try to keep your fridge door shut, as this will help to preserve the food that is inside and will keep the cold in for as long as possible. A battery operated emergency radio can be useful too if the power is not working.

Stay safe and try to keep your phones charged going into the storm just in case the power is out for an extended amount of time.

The Spectator will continue to relay all information that is provided by the National Weather Service and local authorities regarding Hurricane Irma.

Follow us on social media for more updates on Hurricane Irma.

Story by Seth Willard. Photos by the National Weather Service.