Full Notification

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be 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. In western North Carolina, Macon, Southern Jackson and Transylvania. In upstate South Carolina, Anderson, Central Greenville, Cherokee, Greater Oconee, Greater Pickens, Greenville Mountains, Northern Spartanburg, Oconee Mountains, Pickens Mountains, Southern Greenville and Southern Spartanburg.

* WHEN...Through this evening.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A low pressure system just west of the southern Appalachians will keep deep moisture in place over the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia today. Rounds of heavy rain showers, with a few embedded thunderstorms, will cross the region from the south today through this evening. Additional rainfall of up to 1 to 2 inches are expected over the area, with the highest amounts near the mountains. This rain will fall on areas that have already received several inches of rain this week. New flooding could develop quickly in these circumstances. - 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.