National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for portions of the Upstate

Linda Conley, Herald-Journal
·2 min read
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Active flood watch area in green from the National Weather Service at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.
Active flood watch area in green from the National Weather Service at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.

Portions of the Upstate, northern Georgia and western North Carolina are under a flash flood watch through Monday.

The National Weather Service at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport on Sunday issued a flash flood watch for northwestern Greenville, Pickens and Oconee counties in the Upstate.

The watch also includes northeastern Georgia and the southeastern portions of the North Carolina mountains. The watch remains in effect through 8 p.m. Monday.

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"The heaviest rain is expected in Oconee and northern Pickens County areas," said Doug Outlaw, NWS meteorologist at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. "Those areas could get up to 3 to 4 inches of rain."

Outlaw said a warning means flooding is "highly likable" and a watch means "conditions are favorable."

Outlaw said Upstate temperatures will stay in the mid-80s Sunday and will drop to around 80 on Monday. He said once the clouds move out on Monday temperatures will climb to the mid and upper 80s.

For travelers who plan to be on the roads Monday returning from Labor Day vacations, Outlaw said with a chance of heavy rain, drivers will have to slow down and drive with caution.

"Drivers should use caution, especially in low-lying areas because of flooding and on wet highways because you can hydroplane," he said.

NWS safety tips during flooding

"Turn around don't drown" has become part of a safety campaign to encourage people not to drive or walk in flooded areas.

Other safety tips include

►Create a Communications Plan

Make sure you have a plan to communicate with family and friends in the event of a disaster

►Assemble an Emergency Kit

Have enough food, water and medicine to last at least three days in the case of an emergency.

►Know Your Risk

Know whether your home, business or school is in a floodplain. Where is water likely to collect on the roads you most often travel? What is the fastest way to get to higher ground?

►Sign Up for Notifications

The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service provides RSS feeds for observed forecasts and alert river conditions to help keep the public informed about local water conditions.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Upstate areas remain under a flash flood watch due to heavy rain