Flash Flood Watch extended to Wednesday

RABUN COUNTY — The broad circulation around Alberto continues to pump in abundant tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean across the Southeast gathering as much as 4 inches of rain in some areas of north Georgia.

Tropical showers and embedded thunderstorms with increased rainfall rates will continue to bring periods of heavy rainfall through Wednesday night. The resulting heavy rainfall will impact many locations that are already saturated from the 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. Rainfall totals around the region this week will likely reach or exceed 2 to 5 inches.

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 should occur. Make sure to monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.