A prolonged stretch of dangerous summer heat will continue across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia through the Independence Day weekend, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 90s and heat index values frequently topping 100 degrees.
A dangerous stretch of summer heat is expected to settle across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia this week as temperatures climb into the upper 90s and heat index values soar into the triple digits.
Today will be sunny with a high near 96 degrees, but high humidity will make it feel closer to 102 degrees during the afternoon. While the Heat Advisory remains focused farther south and east, residents across Northwest Georgia should still take precautions against the heat by staying hydrated, limiting strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, and checking on elderly neighbors and those without adequate air conditioning.
Tonight will be clear with a low around 76, offering little relief from the heat. Tuesday will be nearly identical, with another sunny day, a high near 96, and heat index values reaching 103 degrees.
The hottest weather of the week is expected Wednesday through Friday, when afternoon highs climb to 97 degrees. Combined with the humidity, heat index values above 100 degrees will be common each day, and some locations across Georgia could experience heat index values exceeding 105 degrees. Additional Heat Advisories may be issued as the week progresses.
While high pressure will dominate the weather pattern, isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms remain possible throughout the week. Rain chances stay relatively low, generally between 20 and 30 percent, but any storm that develops could produce frequent lightning, heavy downpours, and gusty winds.
Looking ahead to the Independence Day holiday, Saturday is expected to be hot and mostly sunny with a high near 96 degrees and a 30 percent chance of afternoon or evening thunderstorms. Shower and thunderstorm chances increase to around 40 percent by Sunday as moisture gradually returns to the region.
Residents in Trion could see no increase in property taxes or utility rates under the town’s proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year budget.
The proposed budget totals approximately $14.7 million across all funds, a decrease of about 3.2 percent compared to the current fiscal year. According to Trion Town Clerk Missy Duncan, most of the reduction is tied to lower projected natural gas sales.
Duncan said Mount Vernon Mills, the town’s largest employer and largest natural gas customer, is expected to use less natural gas during the coming fiscal year based on projections from the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia. Even with the anticipated decline in gas revenue, town officials are not proposing any increases in water, sewer, natural gas, sanitation, or property tax rates.
The proposed budget includes approximately $4.05 million for the General Fund, $5.21 million for the Gas Revenue Fund, $4.75 million for the Sewer and Wastewater Treatment Fund, $292,500 for the Water Fund, and $391,950 for the SPLOST Fund.
Town officials also expect to receive about $33,000 per month in Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) revenue, providing additional funding for transportation projects.
Residents will have an opportunity to review the proposed budget and offer comments during a public hearing before the budget is considered for final adoption
Chattooga County transit services, administrative offices, and other county departments will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
County officials say the Chattooga County Transfer Station and county dump sites will remain open and operate on their regular schedules.
For emergencies or any issue requiring a county crew to be dispatched, residents should call 911.
County officials wished residents a safe and enjoyable Independence Day weekend and offered thanks to all who have served the country and those who continue working to protect America’s freedom.
Expect another hot and humid day across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, with only a limited chance for relief from scattered afternoon thunderstorms.
Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is warning residents about a phone scam targeting local citizens.
According to Sheriff Schrader, the Sheriff’s Office received four reports in one day from residents who were contacted by scammers claiming money was owed for missed court dates, civil matters, or bond-related issues. In one case, a victim reportedly lost $2,000.
Sheriff Schrader emphasized that the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, and other legitimate law enforcement agencies, will never call residents and demand payment over the telephone. Law enforcement will not ask anyone to put money on gift cards, prepaid cards, or any other type of card to resolve court issues or bond someone out of jail.
Residents who receive suspicious calls should hang up and contact law enforcement directly using a verified phone number. Sheriff Schrader is asking the public to share the warning with family, friends, and neighbors to help prevent others from becoming victims.
A prolonged stretch of dangerous heat is expected to impact Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia this week, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the 90s and heat index values frequently reaching between 100 and 105 degrees.
As Independence Day approaches, many families across Northwest Georgia are preparing to celebrate with fireworks. While Georgia law allows the use of many consumer fireworks, officials are reminding residents that safety should remain the top priority.
Residents of Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia should prepare for another round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms today and Sunday, with a few storms capable of becoming strong to severe, according to the National Weather Service.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said this week that the Georgia Department of Agriculture is continuing its efforts to track, trap and eradicate the invasive yellow-legged hornet, and he is encouraging residents to help by watching for signs of the destructive insect.
Harper is asking Georgians to be on the lookout for possible secondary nests and to report any suspected sightings to the state.
Residents should watch for hornet activity around beehives, especially during the morning hours before noon and again after 5 PM.
Possible secondary nests may appear as large, round or oval-shaped structures located high in trees or other elevated areas. Officials say the nests are typically gray or brown and made of layered, paper-like material. Depending on temperatures, they may be visible from late summer through winter.
Anyone who believes they have spotted a yellow-legged hornet nest should report the sighting to the Georgia Department of Agriculture by email at yellow.legged.hornet@agr.georgia.gov.
