Lightning Threat: Seek Immediate Shelter in Habersham, Stephens, Oconee Mountains, Greater Oconee

Residents in Habersham, Stephens, Oconee Mountains, and Greater Oconee counties are advised to seek immediate shelter indoors as thunderstorms with frequent lightning are moving through the area. The National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg SC issued a Special Weather Statement at 4:02 PM EDT, effective until 4:30 PM EDT today, September 20.

At 4:01 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a line of thunderstorms with frequent lightning extending from 5 miles northwest of Walhalla to 6 miles north of Toccoa to 3 miles west of Clarkesville, moving south at 10 mph. Locations to be impacted include Toccoa, Walhalla, Clarkesville, Cornelia, Baldwin, Westminster, Demorest, Mount Airy, Alto, and Tallulah Falls.

The NWS strongly advises that if you are outdoors, you should try to get indoors or into a hard-topped vehicle. Stay away from open areas and isolated high objects such as trees. If indoors, stay away from windows and doors and avoid using wired electronic devices. Do not take a shower or bath, and consider unplugging unnecessary appliances before the storms approach.

Lakes Hartwell and Keowee are in the path of these storms, and cloud-to-ground lightning and gusty winds will create dangerous boating conditions. Boaters are urged to move to shore immediately.