Flash Flood Warning for extreme northeast Georgia

A flash flood warning is in effect for Habersham, Rabun and Stephens counties in northeast Georgia and west central Oconee County, South Carolina until 3 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27.

At 12:38 p.m. EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rainfall amounts of 2 inches per hour or more sweeping across the warned area. More than 10 cm of rain has already fallen in many places today, and there will be even more rain.

Flash flooding continues or is expected to begin shortly throughout the warned area.

Be alert for flash flooding in small creeks and creeks, urban areas, highways, streets and subways, and other poorly drained and low-lying areas.

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 and Lake Burton, Black Rock Mountain State Park, Raoul and Seed Lake.

Heavy rainfall increases the risk of landslides, especially in areas where landslides have occurred in the past. Be alert when near a stream, especially at the base of a mountain or in a bay. Watch out for loose soil and rocks or a sudden increase in water flow. If you notice this, leave the area as quickly as possible.

When driving on roads with steep or rocky terrain, be careful of falling rocks, mud, trees and other debris. “Turn around, don’t drown” when the streets are flooded. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be particularly careful at night when the risk of flooding is harder to detect.