Full Notification

...ABUNDANT TROPICAL MOISTURE ARRIVING ACROSS THE WESTERN CAROLINAS AND NORTHEAST GEORGIA TODAY... .The broad circulation around Alberto as it nears the Florida panhandle is pumping abundant tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean across the southeast. Rapidly increasing rainfall rates from tropical showers and embedded thunderstorms will develop today and this heavy rainfall will likely persist across much of the area through at least Tuesday night. The resulting heavy rainfall will impact many locations that are already saturated by heavy rain that fell over the past two weeks. This will greatly heighten the risk of flash flooding and main stem river flooding throughout the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia, as well as landslides along the steeper slopes of the mountains and adjacent foothills. ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... The Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for

* portions of northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, and upstate South Carolina, including the following areas, in northeast Georgia, Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, and Stephens. In piedmont North Carolina, Alexander, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, and Union. In upstate South Carolina, Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Greater Greenville, Greater Oconee, Greater Pickens, Greenwood, Laurens, Spartanburg, Union, and York.

* through Wednesday morning

* Abundant tropical moisture arriving across the foothills and piedmont of the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia tonight will likely persist through at least Tuesday night. Rainfall totals around the region this week will likely reach or exceed 2 to 5 inches. Locally heavier rainfall will be possible in locations that see repeated rounds of tropical showers and embedded thunderstorms, where rainfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour in the heaviest downpours. This heavy rain will fall on ground already saturated by rainfall over the past two weeks.

* Flash flooding of streams and creeks could develop very quickly under these circumstances, especially in urban areas.

* AFFECTED AREAS: ELBERT ... FRANKLIN ... HABERSHAM ... HART ... STEPHENS

Instructions:

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. Make plans now to avoid travel during the peak of the heavy rainfall. Also, have plans on where to flee to higher ground if flash flooding affects your location. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.