Full Notification

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for... Habersham County in northeastern Georgia... Rabun County in northeastern Georgia...

* Until 630 PM EDT Friday.

* At 1224 PM EDT, Doppler Radar and automated rain gauges indicated numerous rounds of rainfall have occurred over Habersham and Rabun counties, with total rainfall observed of 1-3 inches over the past 6 hours. Additional rainfall of 1-2 inches is likely over the area as another round of heavy rainfall moves through. This will exacerbate ongoing significant runoff and rapid stream rises and cause more significant flooding to develop. Therefore, the Flood Advisory is being upgraded to a Flash Flood Warning.

* People in Rabun and Habersham counties, especially from Clarkesville north towards Batesville, Clayton, Lakemont and Mountain City, are urged to stay away from low-water crossings, low-lying roadways adjacent to streams, and all areas adjacent to streams including parks, greenways, farmland, and residences including apartment buildings and campgrounds. Water will rise quickly and you will have little time to respond or evacuate. Seek higher ground immediately!

* Georgia Power will likely increase releases out of the Tallulah River lakes and this will likely flood roads downstream. Some roads that will be impacted in the next few hours include Shady Ln and Mathis Dam Rd. downstream of Mathis Dam. Some residents will likely be cutoff or have to seek longer alternative routes to leave their homes.

* The flood threat will persist for several hours, so it is important not to let your guard down as streams will continue to rise and new flooding may develop well into the afternoon hours. Please avoid low-lying areas through this afternoon and obey all barricades and evacuation orders as they are in place to save your life!

* Some locations that will experience worsening flooding include... Clayton, Clarkesville, Cornelia, Baldwin, Demorest, Mount Airy, Alto, Mountain City, Tiger and Dillard.

* AFFECTED AREAS: RABUN, GA ... HABERSHAM, GA

Instructions:

In hilly and mountainous terrain, there are hundreds of low-water crossings which can be dangerous in heavy rain. Low-water crossings can be submerged by flood waters quickly and without warning. Never attempt to travel across flooded crossings. Find an alternate route. It takes only a few inches of swiftly flowing water to carry vehicles away. Numerous roads, parking lots and bridges will be threatened by heavy rain and rapidly rising streams and creeks. Please pay close attention to road signs indicating a flood-prone area. Obey all barricades, even if water is not currently over the road. Barricades are in place for your protection and indicate areas where flooding can occur rapidly and without warning. When it is safe to do so, please report flood waters or landslides flowing over roads or threatening property to the National Weather Service by calling toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, by posting on our Facebook page, or via Twitter using hashtag NWSGSP. Your message should describe the event and the specific location where it occurred, including roadways, nearby cross streets, stream names and other landmarks.