Thunderstorms result in power outages, flooding, and downed trees
Community, weather April 13, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – The overnight severe thunderstorms and high winds left 7,900 in the area without power and multiple trees blown down, and some flooding.
No injuries reported at this time. Weather statements recorded winds of up to 60 mph at 1:23 a.m. A Tornado Watch was also issued late into the night for Union County. Much of North Georgia was under either a watch or a warning, a tornado did touch down in Murray County.
Approximately 50 trees fell across Union, 2,500 residents lost power, nine power lines down on county roads, and one carport blown into the road. Some flooding occurred and debris clogged up culverts. At least, one-vehicle accident took place due to the storm.
Courtesy od Commissioner Paris’ Facebook.
Union County EMA is currently assessing damage throughout the county and Blue Ridge Mountain EMC (BRMEMC) is working to restore power.
Some residents lost power around 12 a.m. until 7 a.m. due to trees across power lines. In his 8 a.m. update, BRMEMC Manager Jeremy Nelms reported that around 4,000 of the outages had been restored. However, the continued high winds are a concern for bucket truck use. The wind advisory ends at 10 a.m. according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
BRMEMC power outage map from the severe weather.
Nelms asked the public to please stay out of the crews’ way while working to restore power and to follow social distancing guidelines. “We want these men to remain as healthy as possible to continue performing their jobs. Thank you!” said Nelms.
To report a power outage, call BRMEMC or visit its website.
The Road Department is out clearing trees throughout the county. River and streams have risen significantly and resulted in some minor flooding. At least one home reported water inside the house.
In Blairsville proper, the Glenn Gooch By-pass four-way red-light is flashing red. Please use caution in that area.
Feature image courtesy of BRMEMC Facebook.
Kemp issues statewide emergency for severe weather damage
Announcements, Press Release April 13, 2020
Atlanta, GA – Today Governor Kemp declared a statewide state of emergency following severe storm damage across Georgia over the last twenty-four hours.
“We are praying for those who lost loved ones overnight and the families dealing with severe storm damage. In coordination with private-sector partners, multiple state agencies – including the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, Department of Public Safety, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, and Georgia Forestry Commission – are working hard to restore power, clear debris, and provide necessary assistance to families across the state,” said Governor Kemp. “This morning, I also spoke with FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor, and I greatly appreciate his offer of federal assistance as we work to rebuild and recover from these storms.”
As of early this morning, 177,000 Georgians were without power. Overnight, there were forty tornado warnings issued across the state.
Third Flash Flood Watch within a week for north Georgia
Community, weather February 12, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – In this saga of continuous rain, the National Weather Service (NWS) has released yet another Flash Flood Watch for Union and the surrounding counties.
At 9:56 a.m., NWS’s office out of Peachtree City issued this advisement:
“…FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM EST THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON… The Flash Flood Watch continues for * Portions of north central Georgia…northeast Georgia and northwest Georgia…including the following areas…in north central Georgia…Cherokee…Dawson…Fannin…Gilmer… Lumpkin…Pickens and Union. In northeast Georgia…Towns and White. In northwest Georgia…Bartow…Catoosa…Chattooga… Dade…Floyd…Gordon…Murray…Polk…Walker and Whitfield.
* From 7 PM EST this evening through Thursday afternoon * A cold front will push through Georgia tonight through Thursday. This front will bring another round of locally heavy rainfall to much of north Georgia. Rainfall amounts of one to two inches will be likely, with locally higher amounts possible. Soils remain saturated and several rivers, creeks and streams remain near or in flood, so any additional rainfall will only create run off and exacerbate ongoing flooding conditions. * Flash flooding and minor to moderate flooding of larger creeks and rivers is expected. This will close some roads and could flood homes and businesses in flood-prone areas. Along larger creeks and rivers, flooding could last for several days.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.”
NWS’s expected rainfall for the next 24 hours.