Rabun County EMA/SAR: Hurricane Florence will impact Rabun

According to the local Emergency Management Office, Rabun County is now on track to be impacted by the Category 4 storm the National Weather Service is calling “Hurricane Florence.”

NOAA has predicted the Eastern-most border of Georgia will receive minimal effects from Hurricane Florence which is predicted to hit Rabun County in the early hours of Monday morning around 2 a.m. according to their latest forecast.

Rabun County EMA/SAR advises residents to start making preparations in the scenario that Hurricane Florence could have a larger impact than expected.

“With hurricane Florence expected to hit the Carolina coast this week, please go ahead and start making sure your emergency supplies and plans are up to date,” EMA Director Michael Mazarky said.

According to the local UGA Extension office, even if Hurricane Florence does not hit Georgia directly, we are still likely to see gusty winds with some tree damage and power outages, the potential for isolated heavy rain, and a lot of traffic from evacuees driving into Georgia from the areas directly affected by the storm winds and flooding rains.

“The track of the hurricane is still moving but the weather service is confident Rabun will have heavy rain and winds. If you remember hurricane Irma, we had strong winds and flooding especially on the lakes and down steam from Mathis Dam,” Mazarky said. “Be prepared for much of the same depending on the track.”

Georgia Power has already made preparations by opening one gate on Mathis Dam to avoid flooding as Rabun County experienced with Hurricane Irma last year.

The Rabun County Welcome Center will have extended hours this weekend to assist, inform, and direct any Hurricane Florence Evacuees and Visitors.

Normal hours of operation is Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. However, this week will also be open Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. to assist Hurricane Florence evacuees.