Due to changing weather conditions other recreational areas and road closures on the Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie or Croatan National Forest may occur.
The U.S. Forest Service has asked visitors to follow these safety tips:
- Do NOT cross roads that appear flooded
- While traveling on Forest Service roads slow down for weather conditions, and watch out for locked gates and/or fallen trees
Flash flood, high wind watch alerts, plus a statement on increased risk of life threatening landslides have been issued by the National Weather Service for Jackson County and most of Western North Carolina
The most rain Panthertown Valley has seen in a decade is forecast to fall this weekend. The Crossroads Chronicle reports this storm event will likely bring “the most rain the Cashiers area has seen in such a short time span since 2004, when remnants of Hurricane Frances and Ivan hit the area back-to-back and dumped 15 inches of rain“.
In anticipation of the rain, the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for southern Jackson County and most of Western North Carolina until 8 a.m. Monday. A high wind watch has also been issued for much of Western North Carolina, in effect from Friday evening through Sunday evening. “Strong wind gusts will combine with saturated soils to create the possibility of numerous downed trees,” the Weather Service advisory states.
Don’t take any chances with your life in Panthertown Valley or anywhere near water! Ready.gov and National Weather Service caution:
“Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning. If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the US.”
Read more Emergency Preparedness tips here.
If you have any questions, please contact the Jackson County Emergency Management office at (828) 586-7508