Flash Flood — Rabun, Georgia

2026-01-10 · near Clayton, Rabun, Georgia

Event narrative

Emergency manager reported flash flooding developed across portions of central and southern Rabun County after 4 to 5.5 inches of rain fell across the area in around 24 hours, with around half of that falling in around six hours during the morning of the 10th. Impacts began with an embankment failure along Highway 76 just west of Clayton, where a lane of the highway was covered and a vehicle briefly trapped. Stekoa Creek overflowed its banks just south of Clayton, with water inundating Rickman Airfield Rd. Chechero Creek also overflowed onto Country Club Dr near Highway 76. Additionally, minor flooding was reported in spots along Tiger Creek from the headwaters to its confluence with the Tallulah River. Portions of Old Highway 441 were inundated, including at Shady Lane.

Wider weather episode

A slow-moving wave of low pressure developing along a stationary front draped across the region resulted in periods of heavy rain across the northeast Georgia mountains beginning on the morning of the 9th and continuing off and on for over 24 hours. A swath of 4 to 5.5 inches of rain fell across central and southern Rabun County, resulting in some flash flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.8860, -83.4280)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1314071. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.