Here we examine the rainfall potential or TRaP product approximately 32 hours before Georges was expected to make landfall along the U.S. central Gulf Coast. Georges' forward motion had slowed from 12 knots the day before, to 8 knots on the evening of the 26th. With high pressure building to the north, further slowing was anticipated as the storm neared the coast. Rainfall potential for coastal and inland areas increased accordingly. At 03 Z on the 27th, hurricane warnings went into effect from Morgan City, Louisiana to Panama City, Florida as Georges continued northwestward. Hurricane force winds and heavy rains would likely begin affecting coastal areas within 24 hours - late evening on the 27th.

(Click here to see a TRaP calculation description.) An 11.6-inch rainfall potential (TRaP) was computed for Georges using 02:17 UTC SSM/I rain rates and a storm motion of 8 knots. Since Georges was projected to slow considerably upon making landfall, this value would increase significantly. For example, by reducing the storm's motion to 5 knots as the official forecast had projected, the rainfall potential almost doubles to near 20 inches.

Because of Georges' projected slowing, model guidance forecast rainfall amounts in excess of 20 inches from eastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. One model's amounts exceeded 30 inches directly under the path of the storm.