Forest Service closes low-lying recreation sites in North Georgia ahead of Zeta

October 28, 2020

Delta damage on Panther Creek Trail copy — Storm damage from Hurricane Delta on October 22, 2020, forced the temporary closure of Panther Creek Trail on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. (USFS)

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is closing several low-lying recreation sites in the predicted path of Hurricane Zeta beginning today, Wednesday, October 28. The sites will remain closed until the storm passes and sites are safe for visitors. A Hazardous Weather Outlook has been issued for areas of the national forest.

National Weather Service wind forecast ahead of Hurricane Zeta.
Trees falling or large limbs breaking off are common occurrences during storm events.

The Forest Service is advising visitors to avoid the forest during hazardous weather for personal safety and to prevent further stress on emergency responders who may not be able to quickly respond to emergencies because of conditions that limit access or create safety hazards.

Low-lying areas are especially vulnerable to rapidly rising and swift water. These areas should be avoided during and after major storm events. Excessive rain and high winds have the potential to create high water, flash floods, falling trees, mudslides, and severe damage to roads.

Trees falling or large limbs breaking off are common occurrences during storm events. The Forest Service is advising hikers to stay off trails for personal safety and to avoid further stress on local emergency responders who very likely will not be able to respond to trail emergencies because of unsafe and inaccessible conditions due to the forecasted weather. This includes hikers on the Appalachian Trail, where forecasts predict high winds on the mountain ridges and flash flooding at water crossings.