Full Notification

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE...Portions of northeast Georgia, western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina, including the following areas, in northeast Georgia, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun and Stephens Counties. In western North Carolina, Macon, Southern Jackson and Transylvania Counties. In Upstate South Carolina, Anderson, Greenville, Cherokee, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg Counties.

* WHEN...Through Thursday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A low pressure system persisting near the southern Appalachians will keep deep moisture in place over the region. Numerous rounds of showers and thunderstorms will develop over the area today, tomorrow, and likely into Thursday, bringing periods of very heavy rainfall. An additional 3 to 6 inches of rain will be possible over the southern North Carolina mountains, Upstate South Carolina, and northeast Georgia through Thursday, falling on areas that have already received several inches of rain over the past 24 hours. This will make ongoing flooding worsen and likely cause new flash flooding to develop. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* AFFECTED AREAS: RABUN ... HABERSHAM ... STEPHENS ... FRANKLIN ... HART ... MACON ... SOUTHERN JACKSON ... TRANSYLVANIA ... CHEROKEE ... ANDERSON ... OCONEE MOUNTAINS ... PICKENS MOUNTAINS ... GREENVILLE MOUNTAINS ... GREATER OCONEE ... GREATER PICKENS ... CENTRAL GREENVILLE ... SOUTHERN GREENVILLE ... NORTHERN SPARTANBURG ... SOUTHERN SPARTANBURG

Instructions:

A Flood Watch for flash flooding means there is a potential for rapid onset flooding based on current forecasts. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation and may impact areas that do not typically flood. Please monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take action quickly should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. Rainfall of more than five inches in similar storms has been associated with an increased risk of landslides and rockslides. If you live on a mountainside or in a cove at the base of a mountain, especially near a stream, be ready to leave in advance of the storm or as quickly as possible should rising water, moving earth, or rocks threaten. Consider postponing travel along mountain roads during periods of heavy rainfall. Low-lying areas adjacent to streams, including campgrounds, are especially vulnerable to flooding. If you live or are vacationing next to a stream, please have a plan in place to seek higher ground once heavy rainfall develops. Flash floods can occur quickly and overwhelm adjacent low-lying areas with little warning. Once the stream starts to rise, you may only have minutes to evacuate. Flash floods can cause catastrophic damage and be powerful enough to sweep away campers, vehicles, and mobile homes. Consider temporarily relocating away from streams until the heavy rainfall threat passes.