Heavy Rain Expected to Stick Around, Up to 10 Inches Possible

Meteorologists are watching continuing heavy rain over northeast Georgia and the surrounding area very closely.

Already, more than 2.5 inches of rain has fallen in downtown Toccoa and a flash flood watch is in effect.

National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg Meteorologist Harry Gerapetritis said the area is looking at heavy rain on and off, more on than off, for about the next three days.

“We are becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of rain we have had so far and the amount that we are going to have over the next three days,” he said. “There is an area of deep low pressure that has been spinning across the southeastern U.S. and of course there is Hurricane Joaquin off shore and although the circulation of that hurricane is not expected to affect the area, it is going to allow tropical moisture to move into the Southeast.”

Gerapetritis said the result is rainfall totals for Northeast Georgia that could reach 5 to 10 inches in the next three days, with some areas seeing 10 to 12 inches of rain.

“Especially from areas like Toccoa to Elberton, we are expecting things to be a little more towards the 10-inch side of the scale and then amounts will probably be less as you head farther north,” he said. “Yes, another 8 to 10 inches is possible.”

He said that rain is falling on already wet ground, which increases the risk for and concern over flash flooding in areas.

According to Gerapetritis, the area will see significant rain regardless of what Hurricane Joaquin does out in the Atlantic.

He said rainfall projections have gone up as the hurricane as tracked out to sea.

Right now, Gerapetritis said that the area will not see real clearing until the first part of next week.