A dangerous storm sturge of up to 6ft is expected in Alabama and Florida, especially around high tide and it will be accompanied by strong winds and large waves.
Between 4 and 8in (101-203mm) of rain is expected in southern Alabama, the Florida panhandle and Big Bend, and southwest Georgia.
A few places could see up to 15in (381mm) with possible flash flooding, especially in urban areas, and the risk of isolated river flooding.
The US National Weather Service has issued Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches along the Gulf Coast.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency across 25 counties over concerns about potential impacts.
Several major sporting events throughout the region have been cancelled or rescheduled due to the incoming storm. The highly-anticipated football match between the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama – due to be attended by President Donald Trump in the city of Tuscaloosa – is still expected to take place on Saturday.
As the storm moves further inland and loses contact with its warm water fuel source it will weaken. But it is still expected to bring some potentially disruptive wet weather for large swathes of the south-east USA as far north as the Tennessee Valley and the Carolinas.
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