FLASH FLOOD WARNING/TROPICAL STORM WARNING
Flash Flood Warning issued September 27 at 3:39AM EDT until September 27 at 7:30AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
FFWGSP
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for…
Oconee County in upstate South Carolina…
Pickens County in upstate South Carolina…
* Until 730 AM EDT.
* At 339 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain across Pickens and Oconee Counties. Between 3 and 6 inches of rain have fallen.
The expected rainfall rate is 0.5 to 1 inch in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible as tropical rainbands lift north. Significant flooding appears likely across much of the warned area, with numerous road closures and water rescues likely, damage to even well-built structures, and standing in low-lying areas.
HAZARD…Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing flash flooding.
SOURCE…Radar.
IMPACT…Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding includes…
Easley, Clemson, Seneca, Walhalla, Pickens, West Greenville, Welcome, Central, Pendleton, Liberty, Westminster, Gumlog, Norris, Six Mile, Tallulah Falls, Salem, Lake Keowee, Keowee Toxaway State Park, Devils Fork State Park and Lake Jocassee.
Heavy rain is significantly increasing the risk of landslides, especially in areas where slides have occurred in the past. Slides can destroy single homes and other structures and large sections of roads. If you are in the warned area, you should not travel, except to move away from flash flood or landslide dangers. If you are in the vicinity of a stream near the heavy rainfall, especially on a mountainside, or at the base of a mountain or in a cove, move immediately to a safer location.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.
In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route.
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TROPICAL STORM WARNING
Tropical Storm Warning issued September 26 at 10:44PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
* LOCATIONS AFFECTED – Seneca – Walhalla
* WIND – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind – Peak Wind Forecast: 45-55 mph with gusts to 65 mph – Window for Tropical Storm force winds: until early Friday afternoon
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 58 to 73 mph – The wind threat has increased from the previous assessment.
– PLAN: Plan for dangerous wind of equivalent strong tropical storm force.
– PREPARE: Last minute efforts to protect life and property should now be complete. The area remains subject to significant wind damage.
– ACT: Now is the time to shelter from dangerous wind.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Unfolding – Potential impacts from the main wind event are unfolding.
* FLOODING RAIN – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect – Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for extreme flooding rain – The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
– PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for extreme flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely.
– PREPARE: Urgently consider protective actions from extreme and widespread rainfall flooding.
– ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Devastating to Catastrophic – Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues.
– Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
– Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
* TORNADO – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few tornadoes – The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
– PLAN: Emergency plans should continue to include possible tornadoes.
– PREPARE: Stay within your shelter keeping informed of the latest tornado situation.
– ACT: Move quickly to the safest place within your shelter if a tornado warning is issued.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited – The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
– A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions.
– Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large treetops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.
* FOR MORE INFORMATION: – http://scemd.org/planandprepare