Blairsville, GA – The latest prediction from the National Weather Service puts Hurricane Irma significantly farther west than originally thought. It was feared that the storm would track all the way up the western side of Georgia. At this time, though, it is predicted that the center of the storm will cross the southwestern corner of Georgia, then move northwest into Alabama.

That’s good news for North Georgia. Make no mistake, though; Blairsville/Union County will get some heavy weather as a result of this storm; but not as severe as was originally thought. Still, the prediction is for wind gusts of up to 45 MPH, with higher gusts at higher elevations, and 2.6 inches of rain. Given the fact that Blairsville/Union County has had significant rainfall this year, which has soaked the ground, there is still a high probability of downed power lines and trees, as well as an increased possibility of tornados. Power outages will very likely occur and emergency services may be hampered by blocked roads.

Union County Schools will be closed on Monday, September 11, 2017 due to the state of emergency Governor Deal has declared for all 159 Georgia counties

It appears that a significant number of people have come to North Georgia fleeing from the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in Florida. The Blairsville Ingles Market was packed on Saturday and significantly more vehicles with Florida tags than usual for this time of year have been observed. Brasstown Bald was very busy on Sunday. FetchYourNews.com Union County reporter Mark E. Smith spoke with several people there. Most said they were up here from Florida getting out of harm’s way. Associates at the Blairsville Comfort Inn and the Best Western Milton Inn said they were booked solid on Friday and Saturday, but do have rooms available today (Sunday).

The highest impact of the storm in Blairsville/Union County will likely occur beginning Monday and lasting into Tuesday morning.

Stay tuned to FetchYourNews.com for updates on Hurricane Irma.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at www.FetchYourNews.com