Alert archive / Georgia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2020
Flash Flood Warning 60, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this flash flood warning at Oct 11, 2020, 2:19 AM EDT for Habersham County, Rabun County, Georgia. It was in force for 6 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Oct 11, 2020, 2:19 AM EDT (06:19 UTC)
- Expired
- Oct 11, 2020, 8:15 AM EDT
- In force
- 6 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Habersham County, GA, Rabun County, GA
The radar
The Greer radar (KGSP), 111 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:20 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11, 4:10 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | Clayton, GA | RABUN COUNTY 911 REPORTED NUMEROUS ROADS WERE FLOODED ACROSS THE COUNTY INCLUDING: SHADY LN AND OLD US 441 IN LAKEMONT AND GA 15 IN CLAYTON. A FEW MUDSLIDES OF UNKNOWN SIZE WERE ALSO REPORTED, IMPACTING ROADWAYS. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 111 minutes after it went out.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 00:00Z, 6.3 hours before the alert went out and 188 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1465 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -533 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1573 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 22 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 221 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 368 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.6
The text
As transmitted.
496
WGUS52 KGSP 110619
FFWGSP
GAC137-241-111215-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0060.201011T0619Z-201011T1215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
219 AM EDT Sun Oct 11 2020
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Eastern Habersham County in northeastern Georgia...
Rabun County in northeastern Georgia...
* Until 815 AM EDT.
* At 219 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated several rounds of heavy
rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3.5 inches of rain have
fallen over the past 2-3 hours. Flash flooding is ongoing or
expected to begin shortly especially across southern and eastern
Rabun County near Lakemont, Tiger, and the Chattooga River as well
as extreme eastern Habersham County near Turnerville and
Hollywood. Georgia Power is releasing water from Mathis Dam and
this additional flow along the Tallulah River will likely flood
portions of Shady Ln and possibly Mathis Dam Rd over the next 1-3
hours. Additional releases and more significant flooding is
possible over the next several hours as significant flows work
through the Tallulah River system. Residents on the south side of
Lake Rabun may have to seek an alternate route overnight into the
early Sunday morning hours.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Doppler radar and automated rain gauges
IMPACT...Expect rapid rises of small streams, flooding of urban
areas, low-lying areas adjacent to streams and
drainage ditches, low-elevation roadways, farmland and
parks.
* Some locations that may experience flash flooding include...
Clayton, Mount Airy, Mountain City, Tiger, Dillard, Sky Valley,
Tallulah Falls, Lakemont, Black Rock Mountain State Park, Lake
Rabun, Tallulah Gorge State Park, Lake Burton, Seed Lake,
Turnerville, Hollywood and Pine Mountain.
Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1 inch are possible in the
warned area.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring.
If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately.
Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate
precautions to protect life and property.
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 3483 8366 3488 8366 3491 8360 3494 8360
3495 8355 3499 8355 3500 8310 3494 8311
3488 8324 3487 8324 3482 8327 3482 8331
3473 8335 3469 8334 3468 8337 3448 8346
3449 8351 3471 8346 3473 8352 3483 8360
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR
$$
JMP1 follow-up statement
146
WGUS72 KGSP 110821
FFSGSP
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
421 AM EDT Sun Oct 11 2020
GAC137-241-111215-
/O.CON.KGSP.FF.W.0060.000000T0000Z-201011T1215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Habersham GA-Rabun GA-
421 AM EDT Sun Oct 11 2020
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 AM EDT THIS
MORNING FOR EASTERN HABERSHAM AND RABUN COUNTIES...
At 421 AM EDT, Heavy rainfall has ended across Rabun and Habersham
Counties, however, significant flooding is ongoing across the
county. Widespread 2.5 to 4 inches of rain has fallen over the past
4-6 hours across most of Rabun and Habersham Counties but isolated
areas of 4-6 inches has fallen, especially from Lakemont to Clayton
to Sky Valley and points east to the SC state line. Storm-total
rainfall since yesterday morning has ranged from 4 to as much as 8
inches. Rabun County 911 is reporting numerous roads closed and a
few mudslides across the county. GA 15 in Clayton is flooded in
multiple locations and Shady Ln just below Mathis Dam is also closed
due to flooding. Flooding is also being reported along Old US 441
adjacent to the Tallulah River below Mathis Dam. Georgia Power
continues to release significant flows out of Mathis Dam and higher
flows are possible as the Tallulah River above Lake Burton continues
to rise. Therefore, residents along Old US 441 near Lakemont and
below Mathis Dam should consider seeking higher ground immediately
and be prepared for additional flooding over the next 2-4 hours.
Residents on the south side of Lake Rabun will have to seek an
alternate route overnight into the early Sunday morning hours.
HAZARD...Life-threatening flash flooding due to torrential
rainfall.
SOURCE...Doppler radar and automated gauges.
IMPACT...Expect life-threatening flooding of small and large
streams, urban areas, low-lying areas adjacent to
streams and drainage ditches, low-elevation roadways,
farmland and parks. Life threatening flash flooding of
creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and
underpasses. Flooding of a few structures and a few
roadway and/or culvert washouts are still possible.
Drivers must exercise extreme caution, avoid all flooded
roadways, and obey all barricades.
* Some locations that are continuing to experience flash flooding
include...Clayton, Mount Airy, Mountain City, Tiger, Dillard, Sky
Valley, Tallulah Falls, Lakemont, Lake Rabun, Tallulah Gorge State
Park, Lake Burton, Seed Lake, Turnerville, Hollywood and Pine
Mountain.
Additional significant rainfall is not expected through Sunday
morning. Flash flooding conditions across most of Rabun County will
gradually improve into the morning hours; however, more significant
flooding may continue downstream of Mathis Dam for several more
hours.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring.
If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately.
Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate
precautions to protect life and property.
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 3483 8366 3488 8366 3491 8360 3494 8360
3495 8355 3499 8355 3500 8310 3494 8311
3488 8324 3487 8324 3482 8327 3482 8331
3473 8335 3469 8334 3468 8337 3448 8346
3449 8351 3471 8346 3473 8352 3483 8360
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
$$
JMPWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Oct 10, 10:48 PM EDT, 3 hours 31 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Oct 10, 10:48 PM EDT, 3 hours 31 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1048 PM EDT Sat Oct 10 2020
.SYNOPSIS...
Abundant moisture from the remnants of Delta will continue to stream
over the southern Appalachians and surrounding areas through the
weekend. Drier air will move into the area early next week with a
cold front expected to cross our region early Tuesday. Drier high
pressure will settle in behind the front through Thursday, with
another cold front approaching from the northwest on Friday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 1045 PM EDT Saturday: A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect
for portions of the area through Sunday evening.
Minor adjustments made to temps/PoPs/present wx to coincide with
latest trends as the rest of the near term remains on track. While a
brief, isolated tornado could not be entirely ruled out through the
overnight hours, continue to expect the primary threat to be the
rainfall, heavy at times, as moisture from the remnants of Delta
continues to infiltrate in. Flash flooding will be possible. Current
temps range from the low to mid 60s to around 70 degrees.
Previous discussion: Current weak northeasterly CAD regime will
become more southeasterly and increase moisture and precipitation,
especially in upslope areas of the Southern Appalachians. Storm
Total QPF forecast has not changed a lot, with isolated pockets of 3
to 6 inches possible in the escarpment areas, and 1 to 3 inches
elsewhere.
Circulation from Delta will enhance wind profiles and
give some gusts at higher elevations. Wind shear profiles will be
generally good enough for severe weather on Sunday, in areas of non-
trivial CAPE. Chances for convection are somewhat better on Sunday
afternoon as some breaks in cloud cover allow temperatures to warm.
CAPE forecasts, and forecasts of sigtor reach notable levels with
some afternoon heating on Sunday, over basically the eastern half of
the CWA, and is consistent with some strong updrafts seen in high-
res models at that time. This area is currently under a marginal
SPC risk category, but some part of that area may need to be raised,
and will at least bear watching.
Any severe weather is likely to be on the tail end of the event as
the system that was Delta pulls out to the northeast, with clouds
and rain in decline Sunday evening outside of isolated convective
storms.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 200 pm Saturday: Trough axis associated with the remnants of
T.C. Delta will be lifting across the forecast area at the start of
the period, with lingering potential for locally excessive rainfall.
Additionally, continued moderate sbCAPE aligned with adequate shear
in the warm sector will support a persistent threat for isolated
severe convection across the Piedmont. Likely to categorical pops
are warranted across much of the forecast area through the evening.
The remainder of the short term will be characterized by rising
heights, supporting unseasonably warm weather, max temps expected to
average around 5 degrees above climo, and mins 10-15 degrees above
normal. Conditions will otherwise become increasingly dry, although
some lingering showers will be possible into Monday morning.
Northern stream height falls Monday night and early Tuesday will
allow a frontal boundary to approach the area from the TN Valley.
With the Gulf of Mexico expected to be more or less closed for
business during this time, small pops (20-30%) with the front will
be primarily confined to the Tennessee border.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 225 pm Saturday: Although the front that will cross the area
late in the short term will advect drier air into the region,
conditions will generally remain unseasonably warm through about the
first half of the period. By late in the week, global models agree
that a major trough will take shape across the eastern Conus, with
associated strong frontal zone expected to push into the area on
Friday. The models are not in the best agreement regarding the
magnitude of the moisture/forcing associated with the front, so only
token small pops are carried from late Thu night through Friday.
However, guidance does agree that a major cooling trend will occur
for the Fri/Sat time frame, when temps will likely dip to 10 degrees
below climo...at least. Widespread frost and perhaps some freeze
concerns can therefore be expected across the mountains.
&&
.AVIATION /03Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: A mixture of MVFR/IFR/LIFR prevails at the
TAF sites tonight as the remnants of TC Delta allows for periods of
SHRA/TSRA, low cigs and patchy fog to affect the FA. Expect this
trend to continue through the overnight hours and through Sunday as
the center of circulation passes to the west, with another window of
opportunity for TSRA late Sunday morning/Sunday afternoon. Could not
entirely rule out brief improvement within lull in precip at times.
NE winds will become ENE/ESE on Sunday AOB 10 kts, with SSE at KAVL.
Outlook: Expect gradually improving conditions Monday into Tuesday
as the remnants of TC Delta moves away from the area and drier air
infiltrates into the area.
Confidence Table...
02-08Z 08-14Z 14-20Z 20-00Z
KCLT Low 54% Med 70% High 93% High 93%
KGSP Low 55% High 100% High 83% High 91%
KAVL High 95% High 97% High 90% High 80%
KHKY High 100% High 95% High 97% High 89%
KGMU Med 66% High 83% Med 70% High 90%
KAND High 91% High 97% High 85% High 82%
The percentage reflects the number of guidance members agreeing
with the scheduled TAF issuance flight rule category. Complete hourly
experimental aviation forecast consistency tables are available at
the following link:
www.weather.gov/gsp/aviation
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Flash Flood Watch through Sunday evening for GAZ010-017.
NC...Flash Flood Watch through Sunday evening for NCZ033-049-050-
052-053-059-062>065-501>510.
SC...Flash Flood Watch through Sunday evening for SCZ001>003.
&&
SYNOPSIS...DEO/SGL
NEAR TERM...SGL/WJM
SHORT TERM...JDL
LONG TERM...JDL
AVIATION...SGLHazardous weather outlook, Oct 10, 5:46 PM EDT, 8 hours 33 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 546 PM EDT Sat Oct 10 2020 NCZ048-051-058-112200- Madison-Swain-Graham- 546 PM EDT Sat Oct 10 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Periods of heavy rainfall associated with the remnants of tropical cyclone Delta will impact the area tonight. Streams and main stem rivers will see considerable rises. In addition, winds may gust to 30 to 40 mph along the highest ridge tops of the mountains tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Heavy rainfall associated with the Delta remnants will continue Sunday before gradually tapering off Sunday night. Despite the recent dry weather, isolated flooding will be possible, especially in locations closer to the Blue Ridge mountains where 2 to 4 inches of rain are most likely. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. GAZ010-017-NCZ033-049-050-052-053-059-062>065-501>510-SCZ001>003- 112200- Rabun-Habersham-Avery-Yancey-Mitchell-Haywood-Buncombe- Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson- Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke- McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains- Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-Oconee Mountains- Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains- 546 PM EDT Sat Oct 10 2020 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. In addition, winds may gust to 30 to 40 mph along the highest ridge tops of the mountains tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about observed flooding to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-SCZ007>009-013-014-112200- Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston- Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-Union SC- Chester- 546 PM EDT Sat Oct 10 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Periods of heavy rainfall associated with the remnants of tropical cyclone Delta will impact the area tonight. Streams and main stem rivers will see steady rises. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Heavy rainfall associated with the Delta remnants will continue Sunday before gradually tapering off Sunday night. Despite the recent dry weather, isolated flooding will be possible, especially in locations closer to the mountains where 1 to 3 inches of rain are likely. Strong thunderstorms may also develop on Sunday, especially during the afternoon hours. Isolated severe thunderstorms could develop, especially in locations along and southeast of Interstate 85, with damaging winds the primary threat. A brief tornado cannot be ruled out. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. GAZ018-026-028-029-SCZ004>006-010>012-019-112200- Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens- Greater Greenville-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Greenwood- 546 PM EDT Sat Oct 10 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Periods of heavy rainfall associated with the remnants of tropical cyclone Delta will impact the area today through tonight. Streams and main stem rivers will see steady rises. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible tonight, with cloud to ground lightning and locally heavy rainfall the mains threats. However, a severe thunderstorm with damaging winds cannot be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Heavy rainfall associated with the Delta remnants will continue Sunday before gradually tapering off Sunday night. Despite the recent dry weather, isolated flooding will be possible, especially in locations closer to the mountains where 1 to 3 inches of rain are likely. Stronger thunderstorms may also develop on Sunday, especially during the afternoon hours. Isolated severe thunderstorms could develop, especially in locations southeast of Interstate 85, with damaging winds the primary threat. A brief tornado cannot be ruled out. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Oct 11, 12:56 AM EDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1256 AM EDT Sun Oct 11 2020
GAZ010-017-018-SCZ001-110545-
Rabun GA-Stephens GA-Habersham GA-Oconee Mountains SC-
1256 AM EDT Sun Oct 11 2020
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT STEPHENS...EASTERN HABERSHAM...
CENTRAL RABUN AND SOUTHWESTERN OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 145 AM EDT...
At 1255 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles northwest of Toccoa, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Toccoa, Westminster, Tallulah Falls, Tallulah Gorge State Park,
Lakemont, Lake Rabun, Hollywood, Mountain Rest, Long Creek and
Boydville.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph and very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches
per hour will be possible in these areas. Isolated flooding of low
lying areas may also occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.
&&
LAT...LON 3496 8319 3469 8305 3460 8316 3460 8317
3459 8317 3459 8316 3458 8315 3448 8344
3470 8352
TIME...MOT...LOC 0455Z 242DEG 22KT 3463 8337
HGThe office that day
Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 11:33 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | GSP | Habersham | 3 hr |
| Oct 11, 12:48 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Habersham | 8 hr |
| Oct 11, 12:56 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Stephens | 49 min |
| Oct 11, 1:31 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | GSP | Rabun | 83 min |
| Oct 11, 2:01 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | GSP | Stephens | 8 hr |
| Oct 11, 7:59 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | GSP | Habersham | 16 hr |
| Oct 11, 8:13 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | GSP | Habersham, Rabun | 57 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Georgia, 2020Every flash flood warning in 2020
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.