A Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 3 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, for Habersham, Rabun, and Stephens counties in Northeast Georgia and West Central Oconee County, South Carolina.
At 1238 AM EDT, doppler radar indicated heavy 2-inch per hour or greater rainfall rates pushing across the warned area. Many locations have already received in excess of 4 inches of rainfall today, with more rain on the way.
Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly across the warned area.
Be alert to flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses, as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Toccoa, Clayton, Clarkesville, Cornelia, Baldwin, Demorest, Mount Airy, Alto, Mountain City, Tiger, Dillard, Sky Valley, Tallulah Falls, Lake Rabun, Lakemont, Tallulah Gorge State Park, Lake Burton, Black Rock Mountain State Park, Raoul and Seed Lake.
Heavy rain is increasing the risk of landslides, especially in areas where slides have occurred in the past. Be vigilant if you are near a stream, especially at the base of a mountain or in a cove. Watch for loose-moving soil and rocks or a sudden increase in streamflow. Leave the area quickly if this is observed.
When driving along roads where the terrain is steep or rocky, watch and listen for falling rocks, mud, trees and other debris. ‘Turn around, don’t drown’ when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.
