Emergency management agencies are on heightened alert as severe weather makes its way across North and Central Georgia.
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms crossed into Habersham around 3 o’clock Thursday afternoon, bringing with it heavy rain and high winds. Damaging thunderstorm wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible and could cause widespread damage to trees and powerlines, officials warn.
Those in the path of the storm should be prepared for the possibility of brief spin-up tornadoes.
On the heels of this storm, much cooler drier air will move into the region and could result in some flurries and light snow showers in North Georgia Thursday night and Friday. Any snowfall accumulations should remain limited to the higher elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where up to 1 inch is possible. Otherwise, a light dusting will be possible in the lower elevations.
Schools and government offices closed
Ahead of this two-seasons-in-one storm system, area schools and government offices closed.
In Habersham, “All county offices have closed except for essential employees,” says assistant EMA director Melanie Bellinger. She and other public safety officials encourage people to stay home or remain at a safe location inside until the storm passes.
“Monitor weather stations for further information,” Bellinger urges.
Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens, and White are among the school systems in Georgia that dismissed students early to get them home before the storm. After-school activities are canceled. The school districts have not yet announced their schedules for Friday.
“We are going to wait and see what impact the storm has before deciding on tomorrow,” Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper tells Now Habersham.
Now Habersham is closely monitoring the storm. Check our website weather and Facebook page for continuing updates throughout the evening.
