Headline:
Special Weather Statement issued August 17 at 7:09PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Special Weather Statement
Urgency:
Expected
Effective:
August 17, 2026 - 4:09pm
Expires:
August 17, 2026 - 4:45pm
Description:
At 709 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles east of Hiawassee, or 6 miles north of Lake Burton, moving east
at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Clayton, Mountain City, Tiger, Dillard, Sky Valley, Lake Rabun, Lake
Burton, Lakemont, Tallulah Gorge State Park, and Black Rock Mountain
State Park.
Instruction:
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
If on or near Lake Burton or Lake Rabun, get out of the water and
move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out
to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder,
you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
northeastern Georgia.
Area Description:
Rabun
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Sender:
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov