Continued Coverage of Storms

Continuing our storm coverage, as of 4 a.m. this morning, Sept. 26, several warnings and watches remain in effect over Toccoa Stephens County as Tropical Storm Helene continues to make its way toward landfall in Florida.  According to the National Hurricane Center 1 a.m. report, Hurricane Helene was moving across the eastern Gulf of Mexico early Thursday toward an expected landfall over Florida’s Big Bend Coast Thursday evening and could bring “catastrophic winds and storm surge to the northeastern Gulf Coast. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.”

In an early morning post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the National Weather Service warned that, “A catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend coast, where inundation could reach as high as 20 feet above ground level, along with destructive waves. After landfall, Helene  is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday, with some weakening after landfall.”

Despite the prediction of weakening after landfall, forecasts for Northeast Georgia continue to show further rain accumulations of up to 18 inches, with Stephens County still being show in a band of predicted 10-15 inch rainfall. The hurricane center said. “This rainfall will likely result in catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding, along with significant river flooding.

Last night, a tree that fell across power lines on Skyline Drive at approximately 7:30 p.m. knocked out power to a large portion of Toccoa and left several key intersections on Big A Road without traffic signals. 

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley posted a traffic rule reminder, stating, All drivers are to treat intersections with non functioning traffic signals as a four-way stop. This helps to prevent motor vehicle crashes, especially during severe weather.

According to GA Code § 40-6-70, “When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection with a traffic light in unactivated dark mode, the driver of each vehicle shall be required to stop in the same manner as if a stop sign were facing in each direction at the intersection.” 

Please slow down, pay attention to the road, and use caution when weather and road conditions are unusual.

Power to many homes and businesses were returned by 10 p.m., with scattered pockets of outages resolved throughout the next few hours. A check this morning at 4 a.m. shows that the Georgia Power Outage Map shows 23 customers without power in Eastanollee from an unrelated incident, and a 6:30 a.m. restoration time expected. No other customers are shown without power in Stephens COunty. Hart County EMC Outage maps show zero power outages in any of their service areas.

Both Stephens County and Franklin County schools and school offices will be closed today, Sept. 26, and tomorrow, Sept. 27. In a press release issued yesterday, Stephens County School Superintendent Connie Franklin stated, In light of the anticipated severe weather conditions, Stephens County Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday for students and employees.

All after school activities will be canceled both Thursday and Friday. The heavy rainfall is likely to render certain roads in our county impassable, and with the forecast of extreme winds, flooding, and potential downed trees, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and employees.

Also, The Stephens County vs. Franklin County football game in Carnesville is now scheduled for 10:30 A.M. on Saturday morning. Airtime on WNEG will be 10 A.M. The Stephens County Middle School football game scheduled for today has also been rescheduled to October 3 and middle school football practice has been canceled for today and tomorrow.

All Stephens County offices except first responder agencies will be closed at 1 p.m. today, Sept. 26, and will not open tomorrow, Sept. 27. All county convenience sites will also be closed at 1 p.m. to day, and will not open tomorrow. The Senior Center is also closing at 1 p.m. and will not open tomorrow.

All City of Toccoa offices and agencies will also operate on a normal schedule today, and have not announced closure for Friday, but city officials say they will continue to monitor weather conditions and make updates as necessary. 

WNEG News spoke with City Manager Fredda Wheeler yesterday, and she stressed the city’s emphasis on safety for both citizens and employees.

Wheeler asked that citizens stay home as much as possible during storm events.

WNEG News also spoke with City Utilities Director Harry Scott, who advised gas customers to not shut off pilot lights during power outages, and said for citizens to call in any reports of sewer, water or natural gas concerns.

Toccoa Fire Chief Jeff Haslup reminded citizens to be extremely careful with fire sources in the event of power outages.

WNEG News will continue to monitor the weather situation and local response and provide updates on wnegradio.com and online throughout today and into the evening as the outer bands of Helene reach this area. WNEG Recommends that listeners who were not able to hear yesterday’s 5 p.m. storm report visit the story on wnegradio.com to hear safety and storm response information from Stephens County EMA Director Danielle Rhodes.While our local region often is fortunate regarding serious weather due to the protective bulk of Currahee Mountain, state, regional and local officials warn that the two storm systems forecast for Toccoa Stephens County over the next four days will likely not be deflected, and rain predictions increased to an expected 10 to 15 inches over the coming days.

Scheduling Notes:

All Stephens County Schools and Franklin County Schools are closed today and tomorrow.

The Senior Center is closing at 1 p.m. today and will not be open tomorrow.

The Middle School Football game at Hart County has been called off and moved to next Thursday, Oct 3rd at 5:30 p.m.

Juvenile Court Judge Nicole Carswell advised WNEG News that Stephens County Juvenile Court has been cancelled for today .

The Stephens County Indians  vs. Franklin County football game in Carnesville is now scheduled for 10:30 A.M. on Saturday morning. Airtime on WNEG will be 10 A.M. Casey Kasem’s classic American Top 40 can be heard from 7 A.M-10 A.M.