Ocoee, Tennessee

... High Wind Warning in effect from 4 PM Thursday to noon EST
Friday...

The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a High Wind
Warning... which is in effect from 4 PM Thursday to noon EST
Friday. The high wind watch is no longer in effect.


* Timing: strong and damaging winds are expected to develop
across the mountains of east Tennessee and their adjacent
foothills... beginning late Thursday afternoon and continuing
through Friday morning.

* Winds: southeasterly winds are expected to increase to between 35
to 45 mph... with gusts in excess of 60 mph at times. In
fact... wind gusts of 80 to 100 mph will be possible at times in
the favored areas of the highest elevations and their adjacent
foothills.

* Impacts: this wind event has the potential to produce extreme
wind damage. Widespread fallen trees leading to property damage
and power outages can be expected... especially with a saturated
ground in place. Travelers will need to be alert to strong and
gusty Crosswinds... especially those driving high profile vehicles
near the mountains.


Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected.
Property damage and power outages can be expected with these winds.
Motorists should use caution... especially those in high profile
vehicles.

... Flooding possible Thursday evening into Friday morning from rain
falling on snow pack in the higher terrain...

A significant storm system will cross the southern Appalachians
Thursday evening into Friday morning. This is a relatively warm
system and will produce widespread rains... briefly moderate to
heavy. This would normally cause only isolated minor flood problems
but the higher terrain... especially some mountains in east Tennessee
and southwest Virginia have significant snow still on the ground.

Rain will cause at least some of the snow to melt which will add to
the runoff. Small streams coming out of the mountains and possibly
the northern Cumberland Plateau will be most likely to flood. Some
of the larger rivers such as the French Broad... little Pigeon... and
Pigeon may also flood. Even the upper reaches of the Powell and
Clinch rivers may experience significant rises.

Urban areas such as Chattanooga... Knoxville... and Johnson City may
experience minor flooding in the typical low flat spots.

We will keep an eye on the situation and issue flood watches or
warnings if necessary. Be careful and keep an eye on streams and
flood prone spots. If you come to a flooded or closed Road... turn
around. Don't drown.