Special Weather Statement issued September 22 at 5:19AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

**Special Weather Statement issued September 22 at 5:19AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC**

At 519 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12 miles southwest of Bryson City, or 7 miles northeast of Nantahala Lake, moving northeast at 55 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... Bryson City, Cherokee, Smoky Mountains-Balsam Mountain, Nantahala Lake, Smoky Mountains-Big Creek, Smoky Mountains-Deep Creek, B.R. Parkway-Smoky Mountains To Balsam Gap, Smoky Mountains-Cataloochee, Smoky Mountains-Oconaluftee, and Smoky Mountains-Newfound Gap.

**What You Should Do:**

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.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

**Alert Details:**

- **Severity:** Moderate

- **Urgency:** Expected

- **Issued by:** NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

- **Effective:** Sep 22, 2026 5:19 AM UTC

- **Expires:** Sep 22, 2026 6:00 AM UTC

*This alert was automatically distributed from the National Weather Service via the IPAWS All-Hazards Information Feed.*