BLUE RIDGE, GA- The latest models of Hurricane Irma’s path show that Fannin County could be in for severe weather beginning early Monday morning.

Hurricane Irma has brought with it unpredictability, but the current path shows severe weather in most of the state of Georgia.

Governor Deal, at a press conference Friday, stated, “Just because the weather appears to be calm now, don’t take that for granted.” After his latest briefing, Deal expanded the state of emergency to include all 159 counties in the state of Georgia.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued a Flash Flood Watch for Fannin County beginning Monday morning and remaining in effect until Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 8:00 A.M.

Fannin County EMA Director Robert Graham said that flooding is one of the major threats related to this storm. Recalling when Hurricane Opal hit our area in 1995, Graham said “There was widespread flooding along with power outages due to downed trees.”

The National Weather Service is putting Northern Georgia at a high risk of heavy rain, with rainfall amounts between 3-7 inches.

Along with the Flash Flood Watch, Fannin County is also under a Tropical Storm Watch. We should expect to see sustained winds of 25-35 M.P.H. with 60 M.P.H. gusts.

Graham also said the wind could be an issue. “We will be seeing the Northeast quadrant of the storm. This is the more active side.” Graham has “saw teams”, responsible for the removal of downed trees, on standby to immediately address the safe removal of these trees when conditions are stable enough to reach the problem area.

The National Weather Service currently ranks our area at a moderate risk for isolated tornadoes.  Graham acknowledged that there is a higher risk for tornadic activity on the front side of this storm.

Residents of Fannin County welcomed evacuees seeking refuge and are now bracing for Irma’s effects themselves. Grocery stores are reporting that there has been a run on the necessities such as bread and bottled water, but other food items such as canned goods are well instock.

Fannin County Schools and Government have announced closures for Monday, September 11, 2017 in anticipation of severe weather and are watching Irma’s track closely to see if there is a need for further closures or delays.

EMA Director, Graham said that he will have “extra personnel on duty monday evening” and that his team is prepared for the latest severe weather predictions.