The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning in Greenville-Spartanburg at 7:11 p.m. on June 17. This warning applies to the following counties: Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun, Stephens, Anderson, and Oconee.
Meteorologists warn of winds as strong as 60 mph.
Use caution, officials warn of hail as large as 0.75 inches.
The NWS warns: “For your protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Please report damaging winds, hail, or flooding to the National Weather Service by calling toll-free 1-800-267-8101, or by posting on our Facebook page, or tweeting it using the hashtag nwsgsp. Your message should describe the event and the specific location where it occurred.”
See weather radar for Anderson County
What are NWS meteorologists saying?
At 7:11 p.m., the NWS issued a statement:
“The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for: Franklin County in northeastern Georgia, Stephens County in northeast Georgia, Northwestern Elbert County in northeastern Georgia, Habersham County in northeastern Georgia, Rabun County in northeast Georgia, Hart County in northeastern Georgia, Southwestern Anderson County in Upstate South Carolina, Oconee County in Upstate South Carolina, Until 8:15 p.m. EDT. At 7:10 p.m. EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 8 miles north of Cleveland to near Homer to near Athens, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD: 60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE: Radar indicated.
IMPACT: Expect damage to trees and power lines. Locations impacted include: Toccoa, Seneca, Hartwell, Walhalla, Clayton, Clarkesville, Carnesville, Cornelia, Baldwin, and Royston.”
What is a severe thunderstorm warning?
A severe thunderstorm warning means the area is experiencing or is about to experience a storm with winds of 58 mph or higher or hail an inch in diameter or larger.
Tips for staying safe during thunderstorms
Once in a shelter, stay away from windows and avoid electrical equipment and plumbing.
Keep a battery-powered weather radio nearby in case of a power outage.
Remember to bring pets inside.
If there is time, secure loose objects outside, as these objects often become dangerous flying debris in high winds.
Postpone outdoor activities until the storms have passed.
Reporters Jana Hayes and Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez contributed to this article.
This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.
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This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Anderson County