<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1exaWd_0vjjTAx900" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1exaWd_0vjjTAx900" width="718" height="431" ></figure>Local officials are asking Toccoa and Stephens County Citizens to take the incoming severe weather seriously.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.WNEG News spoke earlier this afternoon with Stephens County Emergency Management Director Danielle Rhodes, who has been in constant communication with both the National Weather Service out of both Greenville, SC, and Peachtree City, as well as fellow emergency management agencies throughout the region and state.Rhodes Emphasized safety, asking citizens to be aware of the most common dangers during this type of storm event.Rhodes said the County Senior Center at Rose Lane Recreation Complex is outfitted to serve as an emergency shelter, but it is not open at this time.She said her office would be working to keep in communication with citizens through the EMA App, which is available from the EMA Facebook page, as well as through the local media.The Stephens County E911 Center has already transitioned to emergency staffing procedures, Rhodes said.She talked more about safety precautions, and said citizens should call (706) 779-3911 to report trees down or other emergency situations, but stressed that people should not call 911 to report power outages or utlilty outages.She talked about how citizens can prepare for the coming bad weather, including securing items such as trampolines and garbage rollouts that could be blown around.Note: (6:35 p.m.). WNEG News will be posting additional storm-related stories on wnegradio.com and the WNEG Radio Facebook page over the coming hour, including interviews with Toccoa City Manager Fredda Wheeler, Toccoa Fire Chief Jeff Haslup, Toccoa Utilities Director Harry Scott, School and county officials, and updates on closures and storm information. Stay tuned to wnegradio.com and our social media feed throught the evening and in the coming days.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Stephens County EMA Director Discusses Latest Storm Information and Safety Recommendations

Local officials are asking Toccoa and Stephens County Citizens to take the incoming severe weather seriously. 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.