The possibility of heavy rains from Tropical Storm Fay seems to be a higher threat to this area than high winds and local emergency responders are preparing for a wet weekend. They’re asking the public to do the same.

Those who are charged with responding in cases of emergency gathered at City Hall Wednesday afternoon to hear the latest predictions on Tropical Storm Fay from the National Weather Service in Tallahassee. Another conference call is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at city hall.

Two scenarios existed Wednesday afternoon for how Fay could affect this area between Thursday and Monday. If the storm stays mostly over water in the gulf, this area is predicted to receive between 2 and 4 inches of rain. If she moves over Tallahassee and travels more inland, this area could receive between 4 and 6 inches of rain. It’s possible that Tifton and Tift County could be under a flash flood watch as early as Thursday afternoon. Isolated tornadoes could also develop Friday night.

Scott Bowers, director of Tifton-Tift County E-911 and Emergency Management Agency, said that people should stay home during heavy rainfall when possible.

“It only takes 6 inches of rain to knock someone off of their feet and a foot of water to float a car,” Bowers said.

Bowers also encouraged people to remove chairs, umbrellas and other objects from their lawns and patios as they could become projects in the wind and also clog drainage ditches that need to stay clear to keep water flowing. He urged everyone to have an evacuation plan in place, but especially those who operate nursing homes and assisted living homes.

“They really need to have supplies, such as extra oxygen and generators, in place,” Bowers said.

Bowers said it would also be a good idea to check on people, especially the elderly who live alone, and relocate to another area when necessary.

Cal Carpenter, the city’s public works director, said that he and his crew had been surveying ditches and drains in areas where flooding has occurred in the past.

“We are trying to make sure that major culverts are clear of debris and cleaning storm drains and grates so that when water gets here, it will have some where to go,” Carpenter said.

Some of those potential flood areas in the city include an area of ditch on 10th Street west of Fulwood Park; Virginia Avenue in the area of the old Wal-Mart site; on Kent Road in the area of the high school; 28th Street; and on Alabama Drive.

People are urged to stay updated on weather developments in the next few days and to prepare by having fresh batteries in NOAA weather radios and flashlights; have first aid kits stocked and medications in the supply needed for several days; have a good supply of non-perishable food and water stored; and to have their vehicle’s fuel tank filled in case an evacuation is ordered.

Parents, school bus drivers and students who drive to school are urged to use extreme caution Thursday and Friday.

Representatives from the school system, power companies, the health department, DFACS and the Red Cross, as well as representatives of Omega and Ty Ty were on hand at Tifton City Hall for the weather update Wednesday afternoon.

• AP story starts here.